Farmer Signs 12 For 2027 Class
11/12/2025 1:45:00 PM | Softball
MARTIN, Tenn. – Head coach Chelsea Farmer of the University of Tennessee at Martin softball team has announced the signing of 12 players as part of her second signing class for the 2027 season. The class includes four Top 100-ranked players in the Class of 2026, a program record, five All-State selections and three state champions. The class is one of the largest in program history and the first true recruiting class for Farmer and her staff.
"This is a day that we've been looking forward to for a long time now," said Farmer. "These 12 are our first true recruiting class and a lot of time and effort went into making sure each of these young women was the perfect fit for our program. Each athlete represented in this class brings something unique to our program and will be expected to come in right away and earn innings."
Read below for more on each signee.
Portlyn Bennett • C/1B • Maryville, Tenn. (Heritage HS)
Bennett is a two-time All-State selection from the Tennessee Sportswriters Association and the Tennessee Softball Coaches Association and is ranked in the Top 100 of the Class of 2026. She is a three-time All-District selection and was the 2025 District Defensive Player of the Year. In the classroom, she has posted a 4.0 GPA or higher each year of her academic career.
Farmer on Bennett: "The first thing you'll notice about Portlyn is her command on the field. Whether she's behind the plate, in the box, or in the dugout, she's bringing some serious grit and energy to her team. She knows how to win and wants everyone around her to be right there with her."
Jadyn Brawley • IF • Christiana, Tenn. (Stewarts Creek HS)
Brawley is a three-time All-District tournament team member who has helped lead her team to back-to-back 4A state tournament appearances, including a runner-up finish in 2024. She was the 2023 district Newcomer of the year and is a Top 100 player in the Class of 2026. She is also a standout volleyball player, earning All-District and All-District tournament honors.
Farmer on Brawley: "One thing I love about Jadyn is her swing. She is an experienced hitter who brings discipline and will impact our lineup immediately. Her energy is unmatched and she is a pitcher's best friend because of how hard she plays and how much fun she's having while she's doing it."
Sarah Beth Byars • IF • Martin, Tenn. (Westview HS)
Byars is a three-time state champion, winning the 2A state title in softball in 2023 and the 2A state title in basketball in 2023 and 2025. She is a two-time All-District selection and was named to the All-West Tennessee team in 2025. In the classroom, she has a 4.0 GPA and is a member of the Beta Club and the National Honors Society.
Farmer on Byars: "I'm excited to have a person like Sarah Beth on the team. Having an athlete as versatile and hard-working as she is right in our own backyard is such a blessing. Her best years of ball are ahead of her and I can't wait to see how she progresses in the next four years."
Cadence Cox • C • Crossville, Tenn. (Stone Memorial HS)
Cadence Cox is the fifth-ranked catcher in the nation in the Class of 2026, according to Extra Innings. She has been named to the All-District team three times and the All-Region team once. She was also named as the MVP in the Class of 2026 All-American tournament. She played a pivotal role in helping Stone Memorial advance to the region tournament for the first time in 19 years. She is a star in the classroom as well, where she currently holds a 3.81. GPA.
Farmer on Cox: "Not only is Cadence dominant behind the plate, but her bat is what sets her apart. When you see her swing, you just know that kid has power and knows how to use it!"
Ace Ellis • OF • Searcy, Ark. (Harding Academy)
Ellis is a three-time All-State honoree and a three-time USSAA All-American. She has been named to the All-Conference team for three consecutive years. She currently holds Arkansas state records in batting average, triples and slugging percentage. She also helped lead Harding Academy to a Class 3A state runner-up finish. Recently, Ellis was named to the Extra Innings Class of 2026 Divisional Watch List.
Farmer on Ellis: "We are excited to have Ava join us. Her speed and athleticism at the plate caught my eye years ago. She is a player who is going to compete and that's the kind of athlete we are looking for. We are expecting her to come in and contribute from the start."
Savannah Gibbs • OF • Carterville, Ill. (Carterville HS)
Gibbs helped lead Carterville to the 2024 state title and a runner-up finish in 2025. For her performance in 2025, she was named All-Conference and third-team All-State. Outside of the classroom, she is currently pursuing her Illinois real estate license.
Farmer on Gibbs: "We found Savannah a while ago and have been recruiting her ever since for her ability to track balls down, as well as what she does in the box. She will be able to come in and help us from the first time she steps on the field."
Alivia Hess • P/IF • Aynor S.C. (Aynor HS)
Hess is a two-time All-State selection and a two-time state champion for Aynor High School. She is also a three-time All-Region honoree. Through four seasons, Hess is hitting .377 with 43 extra base hits, 100 RBIs and 125 runs. She has been named to the Extra Innings Class of 2026 Divisional Watch List. In the circle, she has an outstanding record of 48-3 with 466 strikeouts and an ERA of 0.73. She is a member of the National Honor Society, the Beta Club and a Lander University Junior Fellow.
Farmer on Hess: "This girl is special. She's a huge pick up for us, not just as a pitcher, but as an overall athlete. If it's not her time on the mound, she will be competing for a spot in the infield. She's a true competitor and she's coming in ready to get innings."
Kaylea Osborne • P • Louisville, Tenn. (Alcoa HS)
Osborne is a two-time state runner-up at both Daniel Boone High School and Alcoa High School. She is a two-time All-Conference selection and the 2025 district Pitcher of the Year. In 2025, she was also named to the All-Daily Times and All-5-Star Preps teams. She is a member of the Beta Club, the National Honor Society and has a 4.03 GPA. She also holds the Daniel Boone record for sophomore, middle-division deadlift at 280 pounds.
Farmer on Osborne: "Pitching is her bread and butter and the spin she has on her ball makes her tough to hit. She carries a championship mindset and gives any batter a challenge with the way she moves the ball."
Madison Polk • OF • Medina, Tenn. (University School of Jackson)
Polk has helped lead USJ to three consecutive region titles and a state runner-up finish in 2024. She is a two-time All-Region player, a three-time All-District selection and was an All-State pick in 2025. She is a Top 100-ranked player in the Class of 2026 and is a 16U Future Stars Select player. She is also a three-sport athlete, competing in soccer, basketball, and softball.
Farmer on Polk: "Maddie is a player who has a tremendous upside. The things she does at the plate and in the outfield make me very excited for her future. I am excited to get her here and begin working and developing her"
Sophia Sullivan • IF • Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Blackman HS)
Sullivan is a Top 100-ranked player in the Class of 2026 and is a two-time All-Tournament team selection, as well as a two-time All-District honoree. She holds the Blackman High School triples record and has been the recipient of the Teaching as a Profession award.
Farmer on Sullivan: "Sophia is a true diamond in the rough. She is so versatile in the field and at the plate, she's going to come in and make a difference on this team right away."
Kara Walker • IF • Hernando, Miss. (Lewisburg HS)
Walker is a two-time All-County selection and a Mississippi Association of Coaches All-Star select member. She has helped lead Lewisburg to two district championships and 2023 All-Region selection. In the classroom, she was a finalist for the 2025 Mississippi Scholastic Press Association Best of Show News Story, Best Studio Sports Anchor and Best Sports Story.
Farmer on Walker: "Talent, grit, strength, and competitiveness are just a few attributes this athlete brings to the table. Kara will make a name for herself as soon as she steps on this campus. Martin is going to know who Kara Walker is."
Annie Whittemore • 3B • Medina, Tenn. (South Gibson HS)
Whittemore is a two-time district Infielder of the Year. She has helped lead South Gibson to both regional and substate titles and was named to the state All-Tournament team her sophomore year. In her spare time, she serves on the coaching staff of the middle school softball team and is a four-year member of the Beta Club, currently serving as president.
Farmer on Whittemore: "Annie has always been such a steady presence on the corner and we are expecting her to continue that path here. Her approach at the plate is something that I am so excited about seeing develop when she arrives on campus."
"This is a day that we've been looking forward to for a long time now," said Farmer. "These 12 are our first true recruiting class and a lot of time and effort went into making sure each of these young women was the perfect fit for our program. Each athlete represented in this class brings something unique to our program and will be expected to come in right away and earn innings."
Read below for more on each signee.
Portlyn Bennett • C/1B • Maryville, Tenn. (Heritage HS)
Bennett is a two-time All-State selection from the Tennessee Sportswriters Association and the Tennessee Softball Coaches Association and is ranked in the Top 100 of the Class of 2026. She is a three-time All-District selection and was the 2025 District Defensive Player of the Year. In the classroom, she has posted a 4.0 GPA or higher each year of her academic career.
Farmer on Bennett: "The first thing you'll notice about Portlyn is her command on the field. Whether she's behind the plate, in the box, or in the dugout, she's bringing some serious grit and energy to her team. She knows how to win and wants everyone around her to be right there with her."
Jadyn Brawley • IF • Christiana, Tenn. (Stewarts Creek HS)
Brawley is a three-time All-District tournament team member who has helped lead her team to back-to-back 4A state tournament appearances, including a runner-up finish in 2024. She was the 2023 district Newcomer of the year and is a Top 100 player in the Class of 2026. She is also a standout volleyball player, earning All-District and All-District tournament honors.
Farmer on Brawley: "One thing I love about Jadyn is her swing. She is an experienced hitter who brings discipline and will impact our lineup immediately. Her energy is unmatched and she is a pitcher's best friend because of how hard she plays and how much fun she's having while she's doing it."
Sarah Beth Byars • IF • Martin, Tenn. (Westview HS)
Byars is a three-time state champion, winning the 2A state title in softball in 2023 and the 2A state title in basketball in 2023 and 2025. She is a two-time All-District selection and was named to the All-West Tennessee team in 2025. In the classroom, she has a 4.0 GPA and is a member of the Beta Club and the National Honors Society.
Farmer on Byars: "I'm excited to have a person like Sarah Beth on the team. Having an athlete as versatile and hard-working as she is right in our own backyard is such a blessing. Her best years of ball are ahead of her and I can't wait to see how she progresses in the next four years."
Cadence Cox • C • Crossville, Tenn. (Stone Memorial HS)
Cadence Cox is the fifth-ranked catcher in the nation in the Class of 2026, according to Extra Innings. She has been named to the All-District team three times and the All-Region team once. She was also named as the MVP in the Class of 2026 All-American tournament. She played a pivotal role in helping Stone Memorial advance to the region tournament for the first time in 19 years. She is a star in the classroom as well, where she currently holds a 3.81. GPA.
Farmer on Cox: "Not only is Cadence dominant behind the plate, but her bat is what sets her apart. When you see her swing, you just know that kid has power and knows how to use it!"
Ace Ellis • OF • Searcy, Ark. (Harding Academy)
Ellis is a three-time All-State honoree and a three-time USSAA All-American. She has been named to the All-Conference team for three consecutive years. She currently holds Arkansas state records in batting average, triples and slugging percentage. She also helped lead Harding Academy to a Class 3A state runner-up finish. Recently, Ellis was named to the Extra Innings Class of 2026 Divisional Watch List.
Farmer on Ellis: "We are excited to have Ava join us. Her speed and athleticism at the plate caught my eye years ago. She is a player who is going to compete and that's the kind of athlete we are looking for. We are expecting her to come in and contribute from the start."
Savannah Gibbs • OF • Carterville, Ill. (Carterville HS)
Gibbs helped lead Carterville to the 2024 state title and a runner-up finish in 2025. For her performance in 2025, she was named All-Conference and third-team All-State. Outside of the classroom, she is currently pursuing her Illinois real estate license.
Farmer on Gibbs: "We found Savannah a while ago and have been recruiting her ever since for her ability to track balls down, as well as what she does in the box. She will be able to come in and help us from the first time she steps on the field."
Alivia Hess • P/IF • Aynor S.C. (Aynor HS)
Hess is a two-time All-State selection and a two-time state champion for Aynor High School. She is also a three-time All-Region honoree. Through four seasons, Hess is hitting .377 with 43 extra base hits, 100 RBIs and 125 runs. She has been named to the Extra Innings Class of 2026 Divisional Watch List. In the circle, she has an outstanding record of 48-3 with 466 strikeouts and an ERA of 0.73. She is a member of the National Honor Society, the Beta Club and a Lander University Junior Fellow.
Farmer on Hess: "This girl is special. She's a huge pick up for us, not just as a pitcher, but as an overall athlete. If it's not her time on the mound, she will be competing for a spot in the infield. She's a true competitor and she's coming in ready to get innings."
Kaylea Osborne • P • Louisville, Tenn. (Alcoa HS)
Osborne is a two-time state runner-up at both Daniel Boone High School and Alcoa High School. She is a two-time All-Conference selection and the 2025 district Pitcher of the Year. In 2025, she was also named to the All-Daily Times and All-5-Star Preps teams. She is a member of the Beta Club, the National Honor Society and has a 4.03 GPA. She also holds the Daniel Boone record for sophomore, middle-division deadlift at 280 pounds.
Farmer on Osborne: "Pitching is her bread and butter and the spin she has on her ball makes her tough to hit. She carries a championship mindset and gives any batter a challenge with the way she moves the ball."
Madison Polk • OF • Medina, Tenn. (University School of Jackson)
Polk has helped lead USJ to three consecutive region titles and a state runner-up finish in 2024. She is a two-time All-Region player, a three-time All-District selection and was an All-State pick in 2025. She is a Top 100-ranked player in the Class of 2026 and is a 16U Future Stars Select player. She is also a three-sport athlete, competing in soccer, basketball, and softball.
Farmer on Polk: "Maddie is a player who has a tremendous upside. The things she does at the plate and in the outfield make me very excited for her future. I am excited to get her here and begin working and developing her"
Sophia Sullivan • IF • Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Blackman HS)
Sullivan is a Top 100-ranked player in the Class of 2026 and is a two-time All-Tournament team selection, as well as a two-time All-District honoree. She holds the Blackman High School triples record and has been the recipient of the Teaching as a Profession award.
Farmer on Sullivan: "Sophia is a true diamond in the rough. She is so versatile in the field and at the plate, she's going to come in and make a difference on this team right away."
Kara Walker • IF • Hernando, Miss. (Lewisburg HS)
Walker is a two-time All-County selection and a Mississippi Association of Coaches All-Star select member. She has helped lead Lewisburg to two district championships and 2023 All-Region selection. In the classroom, she was a finalist for the 2025 Mississippi Scholastic Press Association Best of Show News Story, Best Studio Sports Anchor and Best Sports Story.
Farmer on Walker: "Talent, grit, strength, and competitiveness are just a few attributes this athlete brings to the table. Kara will make a name for herself as soon as she steps on this campus. Martin is going to know who Kara Walker is."
Annie Whittemore • 3B • Medina, Tenn. (South Gibson HS)
Whittemore is a two-time district Infielder of the Year. She has helped lead South Gibson to both regional and substate titles and was named to the state All-Tournament team her sophomore year. In her spare time, she serves on the coaching staff of the middle school softball team and is a four-year member of the Beta Club, currently serving as president.
Farmer on Whittemore: "Annie has always been such a steady presence on the corner and we are expecting her to continue that path here. Her approach at the plate is something that I am so excited about seeing develop when she arrives on campus."
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