Softball Introduces 2027 Signing Class - James Madison University Athletics

James Madison softball signed six student-athletes to its 2027 signing class, Head Coach Loren LaPorte announced Wednesday afternoon.

The group features all-state selections, nationally ranked prospects and talented multi-sport athletes from Virginia, Maryland, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. The six incoming Dukes include Isabella Viruet, Haley Helm, Kinley Webb, Braelyn Baulsir, Ella Harmon and Bralyn West.

The bunch will enroll next fall and join the Dukes ahead of the 2028 season.

"Our staff is thrilled to announce the 2027 signing class," LaPorte said. "This talented group will bring a combination of athleticism, versatility, and skill that will strengthen our program and make a meaningful impact. We look forward to welcoming these student-athletes to Harrisonburg next fall and adding their competitive drive, dedication, and championship mindset to our program."

Isabella Viruet – C – Chesterfield, Va. – St. Catherine's School

Standout backstop at St. Catherine's School in Richmond, Va.
Ranked #2 catcher on Extra Inning Softball Northeast Regional Lineup, ranked #17 catcher on Extra Inning Softball National Extra Elite
Named to Top 100 Standout: Northeast Region Hot Hitters list
Three-time All-Metro Softball Team, All-State and First Team All-Conference selection
2025 Virginia State Player of the Year (VISAA)
Career .446 batting average, 1.311 OPS
Three-time Honors List student, made the Head's List as a junior
Plans to major in Health Sciences (Pre-Physician Assistant)

Haley Helm – RHP – Champaign, Ill. – Champaign Central High School

Elite two-way hurler out of the Midwest, attending Champaign Central High School
Illinois Class 3A First Team All-State as a junior while making Second Team as a sophomore and Third Team as a freshman
Three-time Big Twelve Conference Player of the Year & First Team selection
Three-time Big Twelve Conference Scholar Athlete
Two-time News Gazette Player of the Year, three-time News Gazette First Team All-Area
Career slash line of .530/.625/1.133/1.757 while racking up 140 hits, 142 RBI's and 36 home runs at the plate.
Tossed 444.0 career innings pitched with a 1.92 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 725 strikeouts and a 60-12 record in the circle.
Three-time academic achievement letter at Champaign Central High School and two-time academic achievement letter from IHSA

Kinley Webb – 3B/MIF – Alexandria, Ind. – Alexandria-Monroe Jr./Sr. High School

Versatile infielder out of the Hoosier State, attending Alexandria-Monroe Jr/Sr. High School
Three-time All-Area and All-Conference athlete in the Central Indiana Conference
Named as an All-State selection after both her sophomore and junior seasons
Two-time county, sectional and regional champion with the Tigers
Career stats include 17 home runs, 20 doubles and 85 RBI's while batting a slash line of .539 BA/.948 SLG/1.558 OPS.
Held a 4.07 GPA and was a member of National Honors Society and four-time Superior Honor Roll
Dad, Brad Webb, played baseball at Toledo and for the USA Men's National Team
Intends to major in Elementary Education

Braelyn Baulsir – MIF – Glen Allen, Va. – Deep Run High School

Skilled middle infielder with athletic family background from Glen Allen, Va.
Three-time 5C First Team All-Region selection, winning the award at shortstop as a junior and sophomore while taking it at second base as a freshman
Two-time Second Team All-Metro, Second Team All-State selection
Career hitting numbers include a .502 BA, .609 OBP, .883 SLG and 1.492 OPS
Freshman pitching stats include a 1.18 ERA, 0.978 WHIP and 38 strikeouts in 29.2 innings pitched
Letter-winner in indoor track & field and basketball for the Wildcats
Dad, Jonathan Baulsir, played football at Alfred University while Mom, Debbie Baulsir played softball at College of Saint Rose. Sister, Teagan Baulsir, currently plays softball at Elon
Honor roll student with 4.28 GPA, involved in Science National Honors Society and intends to major in Biology to become a medical oncologist

Ella Harmon – C/3B – Baltimore, Ohio – Fairfield Union High School

Nationally ranked backstop/corner infielder out of Baltimore, Ohio
Listed on Prep Softball & Extra Innings Softball 2027 Top 100 along with Line Drive Media Top 100 and Top 25 Catcher rankings
Junior season awards included MSL Scholar Athlete, First Team All-League, First Team All-District, Second Team All-State, Dispatch All-Metro Softball Team and Southern Ohio Sports Authority All-Area Team
Led the Flacons to their first playoff win since 2018, recording two home runs in the playoff game
Broke five school records her junior season including .600 BA, 19 HR's, 52 RBI's, .667 OBP and zero strikeouts.
Incurred 122 career hits and 103 career RBI's while holding a .515 career batting average
Member of National Honor Society, A/B Honor Roll and Scholar Athlete list, intending to major in Sports Management

Bralyn West – OF – Thurmont, Md. – Catoctin High School

Athletic outfielder out of Catoctin High School in the Central Maryland Conference
Three-time First Team All-CMC selection
Three-time Frederick News Post First Team All-County honoree
Career stats include 34 doubles, 18 HR's and 82 RBI's while holding a .568 batting average
Played flag football for the Cougars, winning offensive player of the week once
Dad, Johnny West, played baseball at Virginia Tech.
Achieved Honor Roll status all four years and intends to major in Health Sciences to become an ultrasound technician