Kensi Arringdale Connects With Coaching At Mississippi State

Kensi Arringdale Kensi Arringdale MIF Ankeny | 2026 #26 Nation IA had many reasons for signing to play for Mississippi State. But one significant factor stood above the rest. 

“It was the coaches, honestly,” said Arringdale, a 2026 recruit from Ankeny, Iowa. “Because I had some rough years with coaches during travel ball, so I knew exactly what I was looking for in college coaches. I felt like the coaches at Mississippi State were genuine and actually care for me. Obviously, they're going to push me and be tough on me, but they're also going to care for me as a person. I felt like I could trust them.”

Arringdale's parents played baseball and softball growing up and put their children on the diamond at young ages. Arringdale did dance, volleyball, and basketball, but quit the other activities by age 13 to focus on softball.

“I knew I had some natural talent and I enjoyed the friends I was making from the sport,” she said. “Because I played with the same girls growing up for a long time, we've become very close. I knew I wanted to continue to grow with this sport and my passion was really with softball.”

Arringdale plays travel ball for Unity 18U Johnson, where she is teammates with fellow MSU signee Megan Woodridge. In 2024, Arringdale helped Tennessee Mojo win the PGF 16U National Championship.

Arringdale has played largely in the middle infield and plays some outfield to take advantage of her speed. At the plate, she is a power hitter with an exit velo of 82 mph.

“I love hitting. That is my favorite part of the game,” she said. “I've definitely put in lots of work with hitting and lifting weights to be able to get my exit velo up. I hit about five or six times a week. It just brings me a lot of joy.”

Hitting has been a way for Arringdale to bond with her dad, who played baseball at Iowa Western Community College. They have a batting cage in their garage and also go to a facility nearby.

“I had a hitting coach for a while, but I feel like I've gotten to the point where we know what we need to work on,” she said. “Obviously, I still hit with my travel coaches and get tips from them. But me and my dad just work on a lot and I'm starting to get to the point where I can kind of coach myself.”

Arringdale has traveled to 17 countries over her lifetime. Her family has gone on cruises during winter break every year since she was a baby.

“We get to go off on the ports for a day, or sometimes two days, and just explore the country and do different excursions,” she said. “We try to find cruises that go in the Caribbean because we're a beach family. But I've also been to Europe, which is amazing.”

The state of Iowa plays high school softball in the summer, which has prevented Arringdale from playing for Ankeny High because she was focused on travel ball to help her get recruited for college. She hated having to choose, and is excited to get to play her senior season now that she's committed to MSU.

“I'm going to do about two or three travel ball tournaments, and then the rest of the time I will do school ball, just because I've always wanted to play for my community,” she said. “I played partially my sophomore year, but I didn't get the full experience. I've always wanted to do that, so I am really happy.”