Former Gila Ridge star Addison Duke transfers to Arizona Softball

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - From the diamonds of Yuma to the biggest stage in college softball, Addison Duke's journey has come full circle.

The former Gila Ridge standout and Ole Miss outfielder is officially returning to her home state, committing earlier this summer to play for the University of Arizona, one of the most storied programs in NCAA softball history.

"It's exciting to go to a school where softball is such a big thing," Duke said. "Even at Ole Miss, it wasn't really a softball school. But U of A is a softball school [and] we get a lot of fans, and experiencing that will be great."

After a freshman season in the SEC appearances in 45 games including postseason experience and a trip to the Women's College World Series Duke entered the transfer portal uncertain of what would come next, but her next move came quickly.

"I wasn't expecting to go into it," she said. "I went in at the end of the season…then they called me the day I got in. A week later I visited, and I committed the same day."

Now, she's preparing for the next chapter in Tucson, a decision she says was about much more than just joining a big-name program.

"I didn't really care what school I went to, just that I found a coaching staff that was going to be good for me," Duke said. "That was the one thing I was looking for."

At Arizona, Duke joins a legacy-rich program with eight national championships and one of the most passionate fan bases in the country.

And while the stage will be even bigger, she says she's ready for it, thanks to what she learned in her first year of college ball.

"Yes, I did learn a lot," she said. "They turned me into a better player mentally and physically, and that's all going to add up going into U of A."

Duke's softball journey began in Yuma, where she made her name through club ball, exposure tournaments, and hard-earned reps on the field.

"I wasn't much of an emailer or anything," she said. "I just got myself out there and played against good teams as much as I could."

Now, she brings that same work ethic back to the Grand Canyon State ready to represent her hometown on one of the biggest platforms in college athletics.