University of Minnesota Athletics
Photo by: Kelly Hagenson
Minnesota Adds Four to 2025-26 Roster
11/13/2024 10:54:00 AM | Softball
Kuhn, Stangl, Cochran, and Raymond will join the Gophers next season
MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota head coach Piper Ritter has announced the addition of four new Gophers for the 2025-26 school year.
Joining the Golden Gophers next season are Scarlett Kuhn (Southlake, Texas), Kylinn Stangl (Madison Lake, Minn.), Keali Cochran (Beaumont, Calif.), and Carter Raymond (Randolph, Minn.)
"This class is going to be special for Gopher fans to watch and get to know," said Ritter. "We have four incredible young women who are confident in who they are and excited about where they'll spend the next four years. We recruited not only top-tier softball players but uniquely authentic individuals who will win championships both on the field and in the classroom. This class brings power, speed, athleticism, and passion. With this group, we had a clear vision of the type of athletes we needed, and we're thrilled with how they'll contribute in various roles."
Scarlett Kuhn | Infield | Southlake, Texas | Southlake Carroll Senior High School
Kuhn will join the Gophers from Southlake, Texas, where she earned four varsity letters in softball. She was named the District 4-6A Newcomer of the Year in 2022, District 4-6A Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, and was a District 4-6A First Team selection in 2024. Last season, Kuhn's accomplishments led her to be named a First Team honoree to the Dallas Morning News and a Fort Worth Star Telegram. She led Southlake Carroll to two regional semi-final finishes in 2023 and 2024. In her most recent season, Kuhn ended her junior campaign with 13 home runs and finished in the top 10 in home runs and RBI in Texas High School softball. Academically, Kuhn has been a member of National Honor Society and has earned Academic All-District honors the last three seasons. She currently competes with the Texas Glory 18U team and was ranked in Line Drive Media's 2025 Hot 100 softball rankings.Â
Coach Ritter on Kuhn:
"Scarlett may be quiet off the field, but on the field, she's a calm and confident leader. We saw her attention to detail and steady routine in every at-bat and her seamless communication with teammates. She plays multiple infield positions but calls shortstop her home. Scarlett is a coach's dream, and we're thrilled she chose the Gophers. Watching her make a defensive play or hitting a home run, Scarlett is definitely a standout."
Kylinn Stangl | Pitcher | Madison Lake, Minn. | Mankato East High School
Stangl comes to Dinkytown after a successful tenure at Mankato East High School as one of the top players in Minnesota in the 2025 class. A two-time team captain, Stangl has led her team to two conference, section, and state championships in 2023 and 2024. She's earned four varsity letters in softball and three in basketball. She has a 45-5 overall pitching record with the Cougars, and has earned Big 9 All-Conference, All-Section, and MSHSL All-State recognition nods the last three seasons. A member of the Midwest Speed, she helped her team to a top eight finish at the Alliance championship last summer. Stangl has also earned recognition as a USA Softball HPP Top Performer.
Coach Ritter on Stangl:
"Kylinn is a strong, confident pitcher with a winning mindset. Every team she's played for has been successful, and that speaks volumes about her competitive edge. She knows how to hit her spots and has an impressive spin on her pitches. We're proud she's staying home, and we're confident she'll continue to grow as she faces tougher competition."
Keali Cochran | Infield | Beaumont, Calif. | Beaumont High School
Hailing from the Golden State, Cochran comes to the Land of 10,000 Lakes after competing with Beaumont High School for four seasons and the Bengals Softball Club this fall. With Beaumont in the Citrus Belt League, Cochran was a First Team All-Conference player the last four years. The infielder has also excelled in the classroom, earning conference scholar athlete honors the last three years. With her club team, Cochran finished second in the Alliance championship while playing on one of the top teams in the country. She is ranked among the best of the 2025 class by Line Drive Media.
Coach Ritter on Cochran:
"Keali is spunky and plays with fierce passion. Though small in stature, she's a powerhouse at the plate and a consistent presence at either 3rd or behind the plate. She hits for power, and every time our staff watched her play, she was doing something extra to get on base or make a play. Keali's consistency will be an asset to this class, and we're excited to see her continue developing into the exceptional player we know she can be."
Carter Raymond | Utility | Randolph, Minn. | Randolph High School
Raymond joins the Maroon and Gold after seven competitive club seasons with the Minnesota Force Impact. The utility player has become a decorated four-sport student-athlete at Randolph High School, earning varsity letters in softball, basketball, cross country, and weight lifting. Raymond is a four-time all-conference and all-section selection alongside her three-time all-area and all-state accolades. Last season, Raymond was named the 2024 Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year, 2024 Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year, and Minnesota Minnesota MaxPreps Player of the Year after leading the Rockets to earning their first Class AA State Title. In 2021, Raymond and the Rockets won the Class A State Title and SEC Conference. They've swept the Gopher Conference the last three years, winning the conference and section.Â
Coach Ritter on Raymond:Â
Carter is another homegrown Gophers who is very athletic and can impact the game with her speed or with her power. Carter's versatility will be so valuable to our team, as she can play many positions at a high level. We are absolutely thrilled that Carter has chosen to stay home and wear Maroon and Gold.". She's here to win championships in her home state, which is very special to us."
Joining the Golden Gophers next season are Scarlett Kuhn (Southlake, Texas), Kylinn Stangl (Madison Lake, Minn.), Keali Cochran (Beaumont, Calif.), and Carter Raymond (Randolph, Minn.)
"This class is going to be special for Gopher fans to watch and get to know," said Ritter. "We have four incredible young women who are confident in who they are and excited about where they'll spend the next four years. We recruited not only top-tier softball players but uniquely authentic individuals who will win championships both on the field and in the classroom. This class brings power, speed, athleticism, and passion. With this group, we had a clear vision of the type of athletes we needed, and we're thrilled with how they'll contribute in various roles."
Scarlett Kuhn | Infield | Southlake, Texas | Southlake Carroll Senior High School
Kuhn will join the Gophers from Southlake, Texas, where she earned four varsity letters in softball. She was named the District 4-6A Newcomer of the Year in 2022, District 4-6A Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, and was a District 4-6A First Team selection in 2024. Last season, Kuhn's accomplishments led her to be named a First Team honoree to the Dallas Morning News and a Fort Worth Star Telegram. She led Southlake Carroll to two regional semi-final finishes in 2023 and 2024. In her most recent season, Kuhn ended her junior campaign with 13 home runs and finished in the top 10 in home runs and RBI in Texas High School softball. Academically, Kuhn has been a member of National Honor Society and has earned Academic All-District honors the last three seasons. She currently competes with the Texas Glory 18U team and was ranked in Line Drive Media's 2025 Hot 100 softball rankings.Â
Coach Ritter on Kuhn:
"Scarlett may be quiet off the field, but on the field, she's a calm and confident leader. We saw her attention to detail and steady routine in every at-bat and her seamless communication with teammates. She plays multiple infield positions but calls shortstop her home. Scarlett is a coach's dream, and we're thrilled she chose the Gophers. Watching her make a defensive play or hitting a home run, Scarlett is definitely a standout."
Kylinn Stangl | Pitcher | Madison Lake, Minn. | Mankato East High School
Stangl comes to Dinkytown after a successful tenure at Mankato East High School as one of the top players in Minnesota in the 2025 class. A two-time team captain, Stangl has led her team to two conference, section, and state championships in 2023 and 2024. She's earned four varsity letters in softball and three in basketball. She has a 45-5 overall pitching record with the Cougars, and has earned Big 9 All-Conference, All-Section, and MSHSL All-State recognition nods the last three seasons. A member of the Midwest Speed, she helped her team to a top eight finish at the Alliance championship last summer. Stangl has also earned recognition as a USA Softball HPP Top Performer.
Coach Ritter on Stangl:
"Kylinn is a strong, confident pitcher with a winning mindset. Every team she's played for has been successful, and that speaks volumes about her competitive edge. She knows how to hit her spots and has an impressive spin on her pitches. We're proud she's staying home, and we're confident she'll continue to grow as she faces tougher competition."
Keali Cochran | Infield | Beaumont, Calif. | Beaumont High School
Hailing from the Golden State, Cochran comes to the Land of 10,000 Lakes after competing with Beaumont High School for four seasons and the Bengals Softball Club this fall. With Beaumont in the Citrus Belt League, Cochran was a First Team All-Conference player the last four years. The infielder has also excelled in the classroom, earning conference scholar athlete honors the last three years. With her club team, Cochran finished second in the Alliance championship while playing on one of the top teams in the country. She is ranked among the best of the 2025 class by Line Drive Media.
Coach Ritter on Cochran:
"Keali is spunky and plays with fierce passion. Though small in stature, she's a powerhouse at the plate and a consistent presence at either 3rd or behind the plate. She hits for power, and every time our staff watched her play, she was doing something extra to get on base or make a play. Keali's consistency will be an asset to this class, and we're excited to see her continue developing into the exceptional player we know she can be."
Carter Raymond | Utility | Randolph, Minn. | Randolph High School
Raymond joins the Maroon and Gold after seven competitive club seasons with the Minnesota Force Impact. The utility player has become a decorated four-sport student-athlete at Randolph High School, earning varsity letters in softball, basketball, cross country, and weight lifting. Raymond is a four-time all-conference and all-section selection alongside her three-time all-area and all-state accolades. Last season, Raymond was named the 2024 Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year, 2024 Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year, and Minnesota Minnesota MaxPreps Player of the Year after leading the Rockets to earning their first Class AA State Title. In 2021, Raymond and the Rockets won the Class A State Title and SEC Conference. They've swept the Gopher Conference the last three years, winning the conference and section.Â
Coach Ritter on Raymond:Â
Carter is another homegrown Gophers who is very athletic and can impact the game with her speed or with her power. Carter's versatility will be so valuable to our team, as she can play many positions at a high level. We are absolutely thrilled that Carter has chosen to stay home and wear Maroon and Gold.". She's here to win championships in her home state, which is very special to us."
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