DAYTON – University of Dayton softball head coach Cara Clark has announced the commitment of five players to continue their academic and athletic careers at UD. Kate Buckingham (Libertyville, Ill./Carmel Catholic), Avery Clayton (Mason, Ohio/Mason), Arien Cooper (Hamlin, West Virginia/Lincoln County), Bella Costa (Blacklick, Ohio/Gahanna Lincoln) and Madelyn Thompson (Fredericksburg, Va./Stafford).
 
"We are excited to welcome each of these student-athletes and their families to our team," said Clark. "They are all selfless, high-character individuals who prioritize team success.  Each has impeccable academic credentials and has achieved repeated excellence in their respective softball roles. The future of our program is brighter with these additions."
 
Kate Buckingham, a native of Libertyville, Illinois, is a 5-8 outfielder set to graduate from Carmel Catholic High School in May 2027 and is heading into her final season with the Corsairs under head coach Nicole Parney. During her career at Carmel Catholic, Buckingham has picked up three all-conference awards and a spot on the all-area team as a junior. Last season, she set the Carmel Catholic single-season record for stolen bases with 27. Buckingham plays club ball with coach Frank Gagliardi's VA Glory National 2027/28 team.
 
Avery Clayton, who hails from Mason, Ohio, is a 5-8 catcher/utility player at Mason High School under the tutelage of head coach Louis Conduti. She helped lead the Comets to back-to-back District Championships and to a Greater Miami Conference title in 2025. In each of the last two seasons, Clayton has been named to the All-Conference First-Team and the All-City Second Team. The backstop will once again serve as a team captain in 2027 after earning the role in her junior season as well. She plays club ball with Finesse Fastpitch under Andy McBrayer, who just secured their bid to the Alliance National Championship in July 2027.
 
Arien Cooper, a 5-11 pitcher, joins the Flyers from Hamlin, West Virginia, where she is entering her senior year at Lincoln County High School under the direction of head coach Thomas Barrett. Cooper had a breakout sophomore campaign with the Panthers, earning All-Conference Player of the Year honors, a spot on the All-Conference First Team and All-State recognition. She most recently played club ball for Unity Midwest 18U and Chad Akers' Unity Akers squad.
 
Bella Costa, a 5-10 infielder from Blacklick, Ohio, is set to play her senior season at Gahanna Lincoln High School for head coach Matt Bailey this spring. Costa has helped the Lions to three consecutive conference championships, finishing as the Regional Runner-Up in 2025 and 2026. Individually, she has been named to the All-Conference First Team in each of the last two seasons and earned Second-Team All-District honors last season. She plays club ball on Julie Joseforsky's Ohio Hawks National 18U team who just secured its bid to the Alliance National Championship in July 2027.
 
Fredericksburg, Virginia, native Madelyn Thompson rounds out the Flyers' incoming class. She is set to graduate from Stafford High School this spring and is heading into her final season with the Indians under head coach Heather Gray.  Thompson has earned three All-District honors, being named to the Second Team as a Freshman and Sophomore before jumping up to the First Team last season as a junior. In her freshman season, the shortstop earned the District Batting Title and Rookie of the Year honors, hitting to the tune of a .556 batting average. Currently, Thompson is competing in the Virginia Field Hockey State Championship. She plays her club ball for Unity Blackwell under the direction of head coach Jasmine Blackwell.
 
FOLLOW #UDSB
Follow the Flyers on X/Twitter: @FlyerSoftball, Facebook: Dayton Flyers Softball and Instagram: daytonflyers