George Washington University Athletics
Softball Announces 2027 Additions
6/5/2026 12:00:00 PM | Softball
Matt Klampert and GW softball announced the program's 2027 first-year additions this week, welcoming five incoming student-athletes to the Buff & Blue for the 2027 season.
"We are excited for the addition of these five well rounded student-athletes," said Klampert. "Payton, Gabby, Makayla, Ashley and Riley all bring added depth and unique skillsets to The Vern that will help us continue to compete for a championship. Success at the high school and travel ball levels have prepared them for this next step in their athletic and academic careers. Our coaching staff is looking forward to the opportunity to get to work and watch them develop as ballplayers and people!"
Gabby Cinnamon | Leesburg, Va. | Riverside High School | Outfield | 5-5 | L/L (Throws/Bats) | IG: gabriela.cinnamon | X: g_cinnamon2026
Bio: 2025: First Team All-District…First Team All-Region, Second Team All-State…Riverside Co-Offensive MVP…2024: VA Class 5 State Champion…Won first state softball championship in school history…Walk-off hit in extra innings to win the Region 5D Championship...NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete…National Honor Society…Spanish National Honor Society…Science National Honor Society…Represented Dominican Republic at RCIC International Challenge.
Makayla Hammer | Wheaton, Ill. | Wheaton North High School | Outfield | 5'8 | R/R (Throws/Bats) | IG: m.hammer08 | X: makaylahammer12
Bio: DuKane All-Conference Honorable Mention 2024 & 2025…2023 USA Volleyball Outside Hitter to Watch List…DuKane All-Academic 2024 7 2025…2025 Rho Kappa (Social Studies National Honor Society)...Selected to play in the 2023 Softball Sparkler All-American Game, ranked in the top 25 for Alister Index 2023 (96.2).
Ashley James | Riverside, CA | Hillcrest High School | Pitcher | 5'5 | R/R (Throws/Bats) | IG: ashleyjames2026 | X: ashleyjames2026
Bio: Varsity Team Captain (2026)…1st Team All CIF-SS (2025)...1st Team All-League (2025)...Sunbelt League Pitcher of the Year…(2025)...Defensive Player of the Year (2025)...Trojan Award/Team's Choice (2025)...AP Scholar with Distinction (2025)...CollegeBoard National School Recognition Award (2025)...National Honor Society (2025)...Scholar Athlete (2023, 2024, 2025).
Riley McAndrew | Long Beach, CA | Millikan High School | Utility | 5'7 | R/R (Throws/Bats) | IG: riley_mcandrew66 | X: rileymcandrew66
Bio: Millikan HS Defensive Player of the Year (2025)... Millikan HS Offensive Player of the Year (2024), First Team All-League (2024 & 2025).
Payton Stowasser | Ladera Ranch, Calif. | Santa Margarita Catholic High School | Infield | 5'7 | R/R (Throws/Bats) | IG: paytonstowasser | X: paytonstowasser
Bio: Four year varsity student-athlete…Competed in Trinity League…Eight years with OC Batbuster…Honor roll every semester.
