AMES, Iowa – Iowa State coach Jamie Pinkerton has announced the addition of Kadence Shepherd, a transfer from the University of Missouri.

Shepherd, a Blue Springs, Missouri native, is set to join the Cyclones for the 2026 campaign after spending her freshman season in Columbia with the Tigers.

“I’m thrilled to add Kadence to our program,” said Pinkerton. “We recruited her out of high school and know she can be a great addition to our program and culture. We’re looking forward to her competing for an infield spot with her athleticism and are excited to see her bat.”

An infielder, Shepherd made six pinch-hit appearances in her rookie year and collected a pair of knocks for the Tigers. After picking up her first career hit against Clemson in her collegiate debut (2/13), Shepherd bat .500 in SEC play as she earned her first conference hit at Mississippi State (4/12).

A standout at Blue Springs High School, Shepherd was a four-time academic all-state selection and also competed in track and field for the Wildcats. She broke through in her junior year at Blue Springs, collecting all-district, all-region and all-state honors.

Shepherd played club ball with the Louisville Sluggers while in high school, crossing over with multiple Cyclones in the travel ball circuit. Her older brother, Korbin, was a wrestler at Missouri before transferring to Cal Poly.

She becomes just the fifth transfer that Coach Pinkerton has signed during his tenure with the Cyclones, joining teammates Reagan Bartholomew and Sydney Malott, who signed last offseason, and Sophie Maras and Ellie Spelhaug.