(Left-Right) Taylor Shumaker, Gabi Comia, Townsen Thomas, Layla Lamar and Katelynn Oxley.
Softball Inks Five on Signing Day
Wednesday, November 8, 2023 | Softball
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida softball head coach Tim Walton announced the additions of Gabi Comia, Layla Lamar, Katelynn Oxley, Taylor Shumaker and Townsen Thomas to the program during national signing day Wednesday morning.
"We're excited to announce the signing of Gabi, Katelynn, Layla, Taylor and Townsen to the program today." Walton said. "Each of these five athletes possess the tools and the intangibles that are necessary to compete at the highest level. We cannot wait to have them on campus next fall wearing the Orange & Blue."
The five additions to the program from the 2024 signing class hail from the states of Florida, California, Indiana, Texas and North Carolina. Lamar (Cary, N.C.) is the first ever signee for the Orange & Blue to come from North Carolina, while Comia (St. John, Ind.) is the sixth player to join the Gators from Indiana. Shumaker (Fullerton, Calif.) is now the 31st from California, Thomas (Humble, Texas) is the 10th from Texas and Oxley (Bartow, Fla.) is the 102nd signee from the state of Florida.
In addition, Oxley is also the program's 12th signee that has won a state Gatorade Player of the Year as she was bestowed the honor after a stellar 2023 season at Bartow High School.
More from Gabi Comia
"I chose the University of Florida because it is the No. 1 public university in the country and I will receive a top-notch education. I connected really well with the coaching staff while on my visit and they were the coaches that I want to spend my collegiate career playing for. I am determined to help lead Florida softball to Oklahoma City and win a National Championship."
More from Layla Lamar
"I chose to be a Gator because it is the best place in the SEC with both great athletics as well as academics. All of the coaching staff has the players' best interest at mind, and I love a competitive environment."
More from Katelyn Oxley
"I chose Florida because of the overall atmosphere. It felt like the place I could grow and develop the most! It felt like home! Every time I visit I fall more in love with UF and the people there."
More from Taylor Shumaker
"I chose Florida because of the high level of rigor and coaching, the wide variety of career paths, the amazing care and focus dedication to not only us as athletes but also as students and to compete in the most competitive conference."
More from Townsen Thomas
"I really enjoyed how comfortable and welcomed I felt from my first visit on campus during a camp and I strongly believe it's the best place to allow me to flourish in my intended major and both of my sports."
Florida Softball on Twitter
Head Coach Tim Walton on Twitter
Florida Softball on Facebook
"We're excited to announce the signing of Gabi, Katelynn, Layla, Taylor and Townsen to the program today." Walton said. "Each of these five athletes possess the tools and the intangibles that are necessary to compete at the highest level. We cannot wait to have them on campus next fall wearing the Orange & Blue."
The five additions to the program from the 2024 signing class hail from the states of Florida, California, Indiana, Texas and North Carolina. Lamar (Cary, N.C.) is the first ever signee for the Orange & Blue to come from North Carolina, while Comia (St. John, Ind.) is the sixth player to join the Gators from Indiana. Shumaker (Fullerton, Calif.) is now the 31st from California, Thomas (Humble, Texas) is the 10th from Texas and Oxley (Bartow, Fla.) is the 102nd signee from the state of Florida.
In addition, Oxley is also the program's 12th signee that has won a state Gatorade Player of the Year as she was bestowed the honor after a stellar 2023 season at Bartow High School.
Gabi Comia
| Hometown | St. John, Ind. |
|---|---|
| B/T | L/R |
| Position | Infield |
| High School | Hanover Central |
| Travel Team | Beverly Bandits |
More from Gabi Comia
"I chose the University of Florida because it is the No. 1 public university in the country and I will receive a top-notch education. I connected really well with the coaching staff while on my visit and they were the coaches that I want to spend my collegiate career playing for. I am determined to help lead Florida softball to Oklahoma City and win a National Championship."
High School/Travel Ball
- 2023 PGF All-American
- 2023 Northwest Indiana Times Female Athlete of the Year
- 2023 Northwest Indiana Times Softball Player of the Year
- 2023 NWI Times All-Area
- 2023 GSSC All-Conference
- 2022 PGF All-American
- 2023 SCAI All-State
- 2022 NWI Times All-Area
- 2022 SCAI All-State
- 2022 GSSC All-Conference
- Hanover Central Team MVP (2x)
Layla Lamar
| Hometown | Cary, N.C. |
|---|---|
| B/T | L/R |
| Position | Infield |
| High School | Panther Creek |
| Travel Team | Lady Dukes – Lamar 18u National |
More from Layla Lamar
"I chose to be a Gator because it is the best place in the SEC with both great athletics as well as academics. All of the coaching staff has the players' best interest at mind, and I love a competitive environment."
High School/Travel Ball
- 2023 PGF Futures All-American Game MVP
- 2022 Max Preps Underclassman All-American
- 2022 North Carolina District 3 Player of the Year
- 2022 Southwest Wake County Conference Player of the Year
- Panther Creek High School Home Run Record Holder
Katelynn Oxley
| Hometown | Bartow, Fla. |
|---|---|
| B/T | R/R |
| Position | RHP |
| High School | Bartow |
| Travel Team | Birmingham Thunderbolts – Rocky |
More from Katelyn Oxley
"I chose Florida because of the overall atmosphere. It felt like the place I could grow and develop the most! It felt like home! Every time I visit I fall more in love with UF and the people there."
High School/Travel Ball
- 2023 Florida Gatorade Player of the Year
- 2023 Miss Softball
- Team MVP (2021, 2022 & 2023)
- PCASA Pitcher of the Year (2021, 2022 & 2023)
- 2023 Polk County Player of the Year
- 2023 Bay Area Pitcher of the Year
- 2023 FHSAA 6A State Champion
Taylor Shumaker
| Hometown | Fullerton, Calif. |
|---|---|
| B/T | L/L |
| Position | Outfield |
| High School | Esperanza |
| Travel Team | OC Batbusters – Stith |
More from Taylor Shumaker
"I chose Florida because of the high level of rigor and coaching, the wide variety of career paths, the amazing care and focus dedication to not only us as athletes but also as students and to compete in the most competitive conference."
High School/Travel Ball
- 2023 Alliance Fastpitch National Champion
- Alliance Super Cup Offensive MVP
- First Team All-League
- 2023 All-CIF
- 2023 League MVP
- 2023 All-Orange County
- 2022 All-Orange County
- 2022 All-CIF
- 2021 California State Champion
- 2021 Alliance Player of the Month
- All-State (3x)
- Scholar-Athlete (3x)
Townsen Thomas
| Hometown | Humble, Texas |
|---|---|
| B/T | L/R |
| Position | Outfield |
| High School | Episcopal |
| Travel Team | Texas Bombers Gold 18U |
More from Townsen Thomas
"I really enjoyed how comfortable and welcomed I felt from my first visit on campus during a camp and I strongly believe it's the best place to allow me to flourish in my intended major and both of my sports."
High School/Travel Ball
- 2022 PGF All-American
- 2021 Alliance National Player of the Week
- 2019 IDT Boulder All-Star
- 2018 USA Softball All-American
- 2018 & 2019 Junior Olympian Track & Field
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