Ava Hodo, a standout catcher and infielder from Orange Beach High School in Alabama, has signed with the Arkansas Razorbacks women’s softball team for the 2026 season. Hodo is recognized as a four-star recruit and is ranked as the No. 38 overall prospect and No. 5 catcher nationally by Softball America. She is also considered the top player in her state.
During her high school career, Hodo led Orange Beach to five consecutive state championships and contributed to a MaxPreps National Championship in 2024. In her senior year, she posted a .571 batting average with 80 hits, 15 doubles, 15 home runs, and 77 RBIs, helping her team achieve a 46-2 record and secure its fifth straight state title. Her performance earned her Max Preps First-Team All-American and Prep Softball First-Team All-America honors in 2025. She was also named Class 4A Player of the Year by the Alabama Sports Writers Association.
Hodo’s achievements extend beyond high school softball; she played travel ball with Birmingham Thunderbolts 18 Premier, leading them to three PGF National Championships. She has also participated in varsity volleyball at Orange Beach High School.
Arkansas head coach Courtney Deifel commented on Hodo’s signing: “We are thrilled to welcome Ava Hodo to our 2026 Signing Class. Ava is a three-time national champion and four-time state champ, which speaks volumes about her competitive fire and elite skill set. With her leadership behind the plate and offensive power, we believe Ava will make an immediate impact on and off the field, driving the standard for excellence in the program.”
Explaining her decision to join Arkansas, Hodo said: “I chose Arkansas because I felt the love that the coaches have for their players. As people and as athletes. It is also a place where I know that I can compete and become the best version of myself.”
Hodo joins fellow Arkansas signee Katie King from Orange Beach High School as part of this recruiting class.
