Arkansas softball adds 2026 pledges from Dever-Boaz & Hodo as it eyes Fab Four haul

BY DUDLEY E. DAWSON

FAYETTEVILLE – The Arkansas softball program has been on a recruiting roll recently and its list of commits now includes two new 2026 pledges, including one with a familiar last name.

Northpoint (Miss.) Christian junior catcher Macie Dever-Boaz, the daughter of former Arkansas head coach Carie Dever-Boaz, announced via social media Sunday night that she plans to play collegiately for the Razorbacks.

Her commitment was followed Monday by the public one of Orange Beach, Ala., third baseman/catcher Ava Hodo, meaning the Razorbacks now have pledges from three of their four official visitors it hosted this past weekend.

Arkansas head coach Courtney Deifel is no doubt hoping to add Katy (Texas) pitcher/first baseman Ella Kate Smith – the fourth official visitor and Extra Inning Softball’s top-ranked 2026 prospect – to the mix soon.

After her team swept Missouri State 13-1 and 8-0 in an exhibition doubleheader on Sunday which featured several members of Arkansas’ nationally top five-ranked 2024 recruiting class, Deifel talked about how easy it is to sell the Razorback program right now.

“What’s not to sell here?” Deifel said. “We have a special place so when we get them here, they feel who we are and I think we have a special thing here. I think they see that with how our players play, but beyond that just how they treat each other and how they respect the game and this program and this university.

“So they are just really proud to represent it and the good fortune we are having right now with the 2026 class is because of how our players play and how they interact, how they treat each other, how they talk, how they love this program, how they love this sport.

“They are looking at the momentum that we from how we play, this freshman class, the 2025 class and the 2026 class. I feel like we are in a pretty good spot.”

The younger Dever-Boaz  actually let Deifel know of her intent last Monday.

“I actually committed last Monday, that’s when I made the call, but I wanted to wait until my official visit to announce it,” Dever-Boaz said.

Dever-Boaz, who hit .590 with 15 homers and 47 RBIs and 40 stolen bases as a sophomore last season, chose Arkansas over Tennessee, Florda, LSU, Auburn, Mississippi State, Clemson and others.

“The coaching staff of Courtney Deifel, DJ Gasso, Coach Matt (Meuchel), Coach Danielle Gibson and Coach Dan (Bartosik), they just took me in and took me under their wing and it just clicked,” Dever-Boaz said. “It was just like family.

“They are great and they care more about who you are as a person and who you are as a teammate and your life after softball. Because Lord knows, softball isn’t going to be there forever and they worry more about who you are going to be.

“That was just a huge thing I was looking for in a college as well as academics. I want to go somewhere that is going to challenge me academically as well and Arkansas is going to give me that.

“Also the team is just like family and the way they interact with each other is just awesome. Not only did the coaches welcome me in, but the players did with open arms and said ‘we want you to be a part of this’ – and it was awesome.”

Speaking of interaction, the four official visitors got a chance to storm the football field with other Razorback fans after Arkansas’ 19-14 upset win over visiting No. 4 Tennessee on Saturday night.

“It gives me chills just thinking about it,” Dever-Boaz said. “We sit in student section for awhile and getting up on the Jumbotron was really cool. Just seeing the traditions that they had and being around the students made you feel like this is real, this is how it is going to be.

“…The students were saying we are going to come back and win this and we are going to storm the field…then we won and everybody just started storming the field  and it as a great experience.

“…Sitting in the middle of the field with everybody and just calling the Hogs was probably the highlight of the weekend.”

Carie Dever-Boaz, who was hired as Arkansas’ first head coach when it started the program in 1998, was pleased with her daughter’s decision to play at a place she coached for eight seasons.

“Well she did a thing – she said “yes” I am a Razorback! Congrats Maci Moo – now go and finish the job,” Coach Dever-Boaz said via social media platform X.

Deifel also added 2026 pledges in September from 6-foot Sheridan shortstop Skylar Sterritt, Mia Johnson from Archer, Ga.,  and Katie King of Orange Beach, Ala.

“The 2026 group is going to be the best in the country,” Dever-Boaz said. “Obviously I’m a little biased, but we are a really great group and we are already really close.

“The four that came this weekend, we are already talking about rooming together, going out together and going to football games on Saturdays.”

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Hodo was certain of her decision after the weekend visit.

“When you know you know,” Hodo said via X. “I am SO EXCITED to announce my commitment to the University of Arkansas!!! My dreams have truly come true. Thank you to my amazing parents, sister, teammates, friends and family for supporting me through this process.

“…Thank you Coach Deifel, Coach Gasso, Coach Gibson, Coach Meuchel and Coach Dan Bartoski for this incredible opportunity. I am grateful to be able to continue my journey as a RAZORBACK and to call Fayetteville my future HOME!!”

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Deifel also five 2025 commits from Woodlawn pitcher Lillie-Faye McWhorter, Minocqua (WI) Lakeland pitcher Saylor Timmerman, Rockville (Tenn.) Eagleville infielder Brinli Bain, League City (Texas) Clear Creek outfielder Khamari Hall and Chino Hills (Calif.) 2B/OF Kyler Del Duca.

Photo courtesy of Macie Dever-Boaz