Williams Welcomes Five Members of Class of 2026 to Softball Roster

HANOVER, N.H. — Head coach of Dartmouth softball Jen Williams and her staff have announced the five incoming members of the Class of 2026 set to join the Big Green for the 2023 season.

The Big Green's incoming freshman class features two pitchers, two infielders and an outfielder.

"We're thrilled to welcome the Dartmouth softball team's Class of 2026 to campus," Williams said. "This is a very talented group, and they will add immediate value on the field. More importantly, they have also been immediate contributors to our team culture. They care deeply about their teammates, our values and about the game. We're excited to see how they grow over the next four years!"

The Class of 2026, listed numerically by their jersey numbers with the Big Green, is as follows:

Lauren Ben-Ezra
Outfielder | No. 6
Poughkeepsie, N.Y. | Choate Rosemary Hall
Before Dartmouth: Played varsity softball for Choate Rosemary Hall throughout high school under coach Edrik Lopez… Served as a captain of her team during her junior and senior seasons… Led her team to a 17-3 record during her senior year… Won a New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Western New England Championship in 2022… Was a member and leader of the Environmental Action Coalition at her high school.
Personal: Daughter of Gary and Andrea Ben-Ezra… Has one brother… Father played football for Union College from 1992-1995.
Why Dartmouth: "I chose Dartmouth because I love the environment, from the beautiful campus and location to the people on campus. I also love being able to play Division I softball while attending one of the best colleges in the country!"

Ashley Frantz
Middle Infielder | No. 8
Danville, Calif. | Monte Vista High School
Before Dartmouth: Lettered in softball and cross country at Monte Vista High School… Played varsity softball from her freshman year and served as a captain for three seasons under head coach Robert Johnson… Earned first-team all-league honors from the East Bay Athletic League (EBAL) after her junior season and second-team all-league honors following freshman and senior seasons.
Personal: Daughter of Brian and Elizabeth Frantz… Has one sister… Father played rugby at the University of California, Berkeley… Plans to study engineering and pursue a career in environmental engineering.
Why Dartmouth: "I chose Dartmouth because the combination of earning an Ivy League degree while playing Division I softball was unbeatable for me. Furthermore, the culture the coaching staff has created on the team felt like home."

Allie Ohde
Catcher | No. 11
Atlanta, Ga. | The Lovett School
Before Dartmouth: Lettered in softball, track & field, lacrosse and basketball at the Lovett School in Atlanta… Served as a captain of her softball team during her junior and senior seasons. Served as a captain in track & field and basketball… Earned Georgia High School Association (GHSA) first-team all-state honors following her junior and senior seasons… Earned GHSA first-team all-region honors in softball in all four years of high school… Was named GHSA Region 6 player of the year after her senior year… Was honored with the John A Rabbe Scholar-Athlete Award for her athletic efforts by the Lovett School after her senior year.
Personal: Daughter of Mark and Amy Ohde… Has one brother… Mother played softball at Drake University from 1994-98… Father played golf at Drake from 1994-98… Plans to study economics and pursue a career in business or law.
Why Dartmouth: "I chose Dartmouth because of the incredible opportunities it gave me. My biggest dream was to become a DI athlete, and what better place than in The Woods! Collectively, the campus, teachers, coaches, and students are beyond amazing and I can't wait for what the next four years bring to the table!"

Stella Bale
Pitcher | No. 13
Mohegan Lake, N.Y. | Lakeland High School
Before Dartmouth: Played varsity softball starting her eighth grade year… Served as a captain of her softball team at Lakeland High School under coach Steve Fallo… Captained Lakeland to an 18-2 record in 2021 and helped her team to a New York Section 1 Championship… Was a member of Lakeland's 2017 New York Section 1 championship team… Was named the New York Section 1 player of the year and pitcher of the year following her junior season… Earned multiple all-state, all-league and all-section honors throughout her high school career.
Personal: Daughter of Thomas and Leighann Susan Bale… Has played the violin since she was seven… Was a member and vice president of her school's Italian Honor Society.
Why Dartmouth: "I chose Dartmouth because of the opportunity for an Ivy League education and the chance to play DI softball. I also fell in love with the community here and the college itself."

Peyton Kanaly
Pitcher | No. 21
Atlanta, Ga. | The Lovett School
Before Dartmouth: Played varsity softball for four seasons at the Lovett School in Atlanta… Served as a captain for her team under coach Lini Bush… Named a Georgia High School Association (GHSA) all-region team honoree and won best pitcher of the region honors following her freshman season. Earned first-team all-state honors and GHSA Region 6 player of the year honors following her junior season.
Personal: Daughter of Mark and Cal Kanaly… Has one brother… Father was on Penn's track team for four seasons… Mother played soccer for three seasons at Oklahoma… Plans to study pre-health and pursue a career in medicine.
Why Dartmouth: "I chose Dartmouth because I wanted to play a Division I sport at a school with an amazing education. I loved the location and the accessibility of the outdoors, along with being able to meet such amazing people!"

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