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University of Houston Athletics
Softball Signs Five on National Signing Day
11/17/2025 8:28:00 AM | Softball
Cougars add first freshmen class of Schoonmaker era
HOUSTON – The University of Houston Softball team welcomed five new commitments to the team for the Class of 2026 signing period, Head Coach Chrissy Schoonmaker announced Monday.
Four in-state signees in Addison Otto, Frei Pizarro, Adrienne Thompson and Cayla Warner join the Cougars while Zamari Ball arrives from neighboring Arkansas.
"We are thrilled to welcome Addison, Adrienne, Cayla, Frei and Zamari to Houston Softball," Schoonmaker said. "This is a dynamic signing class that brings speed, athleticism, power and outstanding pitching to our program. We project this class to make an immediate impact and help us build on our championship standard and culture. This class of women is poised, competitive, high character and has high level playing experience on both the national and international stage. We look forward to seeing them shine in the Cougar uniform and competing for championships throughout their time in Houston."
The Cougars welcome two pitchers, two utility players and an outfielder to its roster for the 2026 season, bringing in the 39th ranked recruiting class according to Softball America and the 49th ranked class via D1Softball.
Zamari Ball | RHP | North Little Rock, Ark.
Ball is one of two pitchers joining the Cougars in the 2026 class and stands as the program's lone signee from outside the state of Texas. The North Little Rock, Ark.-native attended Sylvan Hills High School while also having played club softball for D1Vision 18U National.
Before Houston:
Daughter to Clint and Delshonda Ball. She has three siblings: Ariel Smith, Irenia Ball and Mizani Ball.
Why Houston? "Houston was the perfect choice for me because I fell in love with the campus, the city and I really connected with the coaches' approach to the game."
Addison Otto | Utility | Smithville, Texas
Otto joins the Cougars as one of four in-state signees and the furthest Lone Star traveler coming from Smithville, Texas. She attended Smithville High School where she was a dual sport athlete in softball and volleyball while also playing club softball for the Texas Bombers.
Before Houston:
Daughter to Christie and Wayne Otto. She has two siblings: Brooke and Lane Otto.
Why Houston? "I love the city, the culture and most importantly, the coaches. I also love how close it is to home!"
Frei Pizarro | RHP | Rio Hondo, Texas
Pizarro comes to the Cougars as another arm on Schoonmaker's pitching staff as well as one of three signees to have played their high school ball within the Greater Houston Area. She attended Kingwood High School while also playing her club softball for the Texas Riptide 18U team.
Before Houston:
Daughter to Fernando and Erika Pizarro. She has three siblings: Sierra, Erik and Kelsey Pizarro.
Why Houston? "Houston was where I wanted to play at and I love the coaching staff, the facilities, and the university. It just feels like home!"
Adrienne Thompson | Outfielder/Utility | Spring, Texas
Thompson comes in as one of two utility players coming in this class while also staying within the Greater Houston Area after playing at Oak Ridge High School in Conroe. She competed in club softball with Impact Gold Jackson 18U.
Before Houston:
Daughter to Lia Palm and Terence Thompson. She has two siblings: Aiyana Freeney and Quentin Thompson.
Why Houston? "Because I love the culture that they are building here, and the environment is very positive and driven to succeed. The coaches and the girls are really nice, and they all work together really well."
Cayla Warner | Outfielder | Richmond, Texas
Warner rounds out the Cougars' 2026 freshman class as the third player recruited out of the Greater Houston Area by way of Shadow Creek High School in Richmond. She played her club ball for Impact Gold Jackson 18U alongside fellow signee Adrienne Thompson.
Before Houston:
Daughter to Margaret and Clyde Warner. She has two siblings: Maya Jackson and Cornell Warner.
Her sister, Maya played for the Houston Softball program from 2016-19, where she was a four-time American Athletic All-Conference Team honoree (two first teams, two second teams) and All-Academic Team honoree.
Why Houston? "I chose the University of Houston because of the supportive coaching staff. They made me feel like this is the right place to challenge myself and reach my full potential. It's also a place where I can grow as both a student and an athlete."
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Softball by supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective – and by joining the Diamond Club which provides financial support directly to Houston Softball for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarSB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Softball. Fans also can follow the team on Instagram at @UHCougarSB.
− UHCougars.com −
Four in-state signees in Addison Otto, Frei Pizarro, Adrienne Thompson and Cayla Warner join the Cougars while Zamari Ball arrives from neighboring Arkansas.
"We are thrilled to welcome Addison, Adrienne, Cayla, Frei and Zamari to Houston Softball," Schoonmaker said. "This is a dynamic signing class that brings speed, athleticism, power and outstanding pitching to our program. We project this class to make an immediate impact and help us build on our championship standard and culture. This class of women is poised, competitive, high character and has high level playing experience on both the national and international stage. We look forward to seeing them shine in the Cougar uniform and competing for championships throughout their time in Houston."
The Cougars welcome two pitchers, two utility players and an outfielder to its roster for the 2026 season, bringing in the 39th ranked recruiting class according to Softball America and the 49th ranked class via D1Softball.
Ball is one of two pitchers joining the Cougars in the 2026 class and stands as the program's lone signee from outside the state of Texas. The North Little Rock, Ark.-native attended Sylvan Hills High School while also having played club softball for D1Vision 18U National.
Before Houston:
- Checks in as the #21 ranked player via Line Drive Media
- Tabbed a Minority Softball Prospect All-American in 2025
- Was named to the Class 5A All-State, All-Conference and All-Region teams
- Won a championship at the 16U Premier Girls Fastpitch Show Me the Money tournament
- Tossed 62 strikeouts, a 1.86 ERA and 1.23 WHIP through 59 innings in the circle during her 2025 spring season at Sylvan Hills
- Hit for a .303 average, .959 OPS, four homeruns and 17 RBIs during her 2025 spring season at Sylvan Hills
Daughter to Clint and Delshonda Ball. She has three siblings: Ariel Smith, Irenia Ball and Mizani Ball.
Why Houston? "Houston was the perfect choice for me because I fell in love with the campus, the city and I really connected with the coaches' approach to the game."
Otto joins the Cougars as one of four in-state signees and the furthest Lone Star traveler coming from Smithville, Texas. She attended Smithville High School where she was a dual sport athlete in softball and volleyball while also playing club softball for the Texas Bombers.
Before Houston:
- Checks in as the #30 ranked player via Softball America
- Three-time Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State selection/Pitcher of the District
- Named a three-time Smithville High School Softball Player of the Year winner with a First Team Infielder and District Offensive MVP award
- Tabbed a three-time Academic All-District honoree
- Tossed a tie for a team-best 0.87 ERA in the circle during her 2025 spring season at Smithville
- Led Smithville with a .443 batting average during her 2025 spring season
- Brings international experience with 15U and 16U USA Softball
- Named to the first-ever 15U USA softball team
- Won a 2023 WBSC Gold Medal with the 15U USA Softball team
Daughter to Christie and Wayne Otto. She has two siblings: Brooke and Lane Otto.
Why Houston? "I love the city, the culture and most importantly, the coaches. I also love how close it is to home!"
Pizarro comes to the Cougars as another arm on Schoonmaker's pitching staff as well as one of three signees to have played their high school ball within the Greater Houston Area. She attended Kingwood High School while also playing her club softball for the Texas Riptide 18U team.
Before Houston:
- Won the 2025 Class 6A Division II State Championship with Kingwood High School with a team record of 34-4-1 during her junior season
- Was tabbed District 23-6A Division II Newcomer of the Year as a freshman
- Named the District 23-6A Division II Most Valuable Player as a sophomore
- Selected as a District 23-6A honorable mention as a junior
- Pitched an undefeated 9-0 record in the circle during her 2025 spring season at Kingwood
- Batted a .286 average with 13 RBIs during her 2025 spring season
- Tabbed Premier Girls Fastpitch Nationals 16U Pitcher of the Tournament
- Pitched for the U-18 Puerto Rican National Team
Daughter to Fernando and Erika Pizarro. She has three siblings: Sierra, Erik and Kelsey Pizarro.
Why Houston? "Houston was where I wanted to play at and I love the coaching staff, the facilities, and the university. It just feels like home!"
Thompson comes in as one of two utility players coming in this class while also staying within the Greater Houston Area after playing at Oak Ridge High School in Conroe. She competed in club softball with Impact Gold Jackson 18U.
Before Houston:
- Checks in as the #24 ranked player via Line Drive Media
- Earned two District 13-6A Offensive Player of the Year awards
- Tabbed on the District 13-6A First Team list while securing an Academic All-District honor
- Named to the Bomber and Impact Gold Exposure All-Tournament teams
- Set a school record seven triples during her career at Oak Ridge
- Batted an average of .520, stole 34 bases and tallied 54 RBIs during her 2025 spring season
- Two-time 13-6A Offensive Player of the Year award winner
Daughter to Lia Palm and Terence Thompson. She has two siblings: Aiyana Freeney and Quentin Thompson.
Why Houston? "Because I love the culture that they are building here, and the environment is very positive and driven to succeed. The coaches and the girls are really nice, and they all work together really well."
Warner rounds out the Cougars' 2026 freshman class as the third player recruited out of the Greater Houston Area by way of Shadow Creek High School in Richmond. She played her club ball for Impact Gold Jackson 18U alongside fellow signee Adrienne Thompson.
Before Houston:
- Checks in as the #36 ranked player via Line Drive Media
- Named to 2025 TFL Championship All-Tournament team
- Nominated for the 2025 Premier Girls Fastpitch All American Game
- Three-time 22-6A First Team All-District from 2023-2025
- Three-time 22-6A Academic All-District from 2023-2025
- Earned the 2025 Shadow Creek High School Defensive MVP Award
- Named as 2024 Shadow Creek High School Offensive MVP
- Set the second most stolen bases in Shadow Creek history with 39
- Tabbed the 23-6A Newcomer of The Year in 2023
Daughter to Margaret and Clyde Warner. She has two siblings: Maya Jackson and Cornell Warner.
Her sister, Maya played for the Houston Softball program from 2016-19, where she was a four-time American Athletic All-Conference Team honoree (two first teams, two second teams) and All-Academic Team honoree.
Why Houston? "I chose the University of Houston because of the supportive coaching staff. They made me feel like this is the right place to challenge myself and reach my full potential. It's also a place where I can grow as both a student and an athlete."
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Softball by supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective – and by joining the Diamond Club which provides financial support directly to Houston Softball for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarSB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Softball. Fans also can follow the team on Instagram at @UHCougarSB.
− UHCougars.com −
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