Junior pitcher Lauren Sandholm of Ankeny Centennial has verbally committed to play softball for Mississippi State.
Sandholm announced her decision via social media on Saturday.
“I am beyond blessed and excited to announce my commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at Mississippi State University!” Sandholm tweeted on X. “I am so grateful for the opportunities and blessings God has given me and I am so excited to see what the future holds as a Bulldog! Hail State!”
Sandholm was a two-time all-state pick for the Jaguars in 2023-24. She elected to skip her sophomore season in 2025 in order to focus on club ball.
As an eighth grader, Sandholm compiled a 13-1 record with a 1.08 ERA while limiting opposing batters to a .161 average. She helped Centennial to the Class 5A state title and was named to the all-state second team.
In 2024, Sandholm went 14-7 with a 1.58 ERA while racking up 150 strikeouts. She also batted .302 with one home run and six RBIs.
Sandholm was selected to the Class 5A first team. She was a repeat pick to the CIML Conference first team.
Sandholm becomes the second player from Ankeny to commit to Mississippi State in the last 12 months. A year ago, infielder Kensington Arringdale pledged her commitment to the Bulldogs.
Arringdale attended Centennial as a freshman before transferring to Ankeny, where she is now a senior.