University of North Carolina Athletics
Softball Signs Six To National Letters Of Intent
November 16, 2016 | Softball
CHAPEL HILL – North Carolina softball is excited to announce the signing of six incoming players to National Letters of Intent. The 2016 signing class includes three pitchers, two catchers and a middle infielder who all hail from different states. The Tar Heels are pleased to bring in shortshop Sierra Parkinson, catchers Megan Dray and Zoë Goodman, and pitchers Hannah Nommensen, Katie Grace Olinger and Hannah Todd. Nommensen, a right-hander from Gurnee, Illinois, plans to enroll at North Carolina a semester early and join the Tar Heels this January in time for the 2017 season.
“The 2017 class is one that we have gotten to know well,” said head coach Donna J. Papa. “Their personalities, character, talent and academic strengths will naturally blend into the current culture of our program. We are excited that they will officially be a part of our family. Signing Day is something that the players and their families have been excited about since the day they verbally committed. They will now be able to officially say that they are 'Tar Heels.'
“This group knows how to win, being a part of regional and state championships. Overall, it will be a very impactful class with regard to our battery by giving us great strength and depth. We will also be solidifying our offense with three new hitters and our defense with a middle infielder. I can't wait to see them wearing Carolina Blue next fall!”
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| Megan Dray |
Name: Megan Dray
Position: Catcher/Infield
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hometown: Lynchburg, Va.
High School: Brookville
Travel Team: Indiana Magic 18U Gold
A power hitter from Lynchburg, Virginia, Megan Dray led Brookville High School to back-to-back state titles in 2014-15, the first two in school history. The Bees' catcher has a career .436 batting average and already ranks in the top 10 in VHSL history in home runs (19) and doubles (25) with a full season left to play. Brookville's team captain is a three-time all-district, all-conference, all-region and all-state performer.
After three seasons with the Lady Lightning, Dray joined the Indiana Magic 18U Gold this past summer, with whom she was named to the 2016 ASA JO Cup All-Star Team and USSA Elite Top 30. Dray led the Richmond Diamonds to ASA and USSSA state titles in 2011, and finished in the top 20 at PGF Nationals all three years with the Lightning.
“Megan has had many successes in her high school and travel ball experiences,” said Papa. “She has been able to be a part of many championship teams. That mentality is important when coming to the next level. She is a power hitter and an RBI producer, in addition to being a solid receiver behind the plate. She will bring a strong presence as a catcher and will be a great addition to our offensive attack.”
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| Zoë Goodman |
Name: Zoë Goodman
Position: Catcher/Infield
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hometown: McKinney, Texas
High School: McKinney North
Travel Team: Impact Gold
A catcher from McKinney, Texas, Zoe Goodman led McKinney North High School to an 18-7-1 record last spring, hitting .534 with eight home runs, 37 RBIs and a 1.027 slugging percentage. Named the District 13-4A Catcher of the Year three years in a row, Goodman earned all-state honors and a place on the DFW All-Star Team last spring. A true student-athlete, she has earned Academic All-District honors all three years.
“Zoë will be part of an exciting battery of catchers and pitchers that will make their mark in our program,” said Papa. “She will be a force at the plate and an asset with her strong catching abilities. She values the relationship and bond that pitchers and catchers need to have. Zoë has family ties in North Carolina and grew up wanting to be a Tar Heel. It's great when that dream can come true.”
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| Hannah Nommensen |
Name: Hannah Nommensen
Position: Pitcher
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hometown: Gurnee, Il.
High School: Warren Township
Travel Team: IL Chill Gold
A pitcher from Gurnee, Illinois, Hannah Nommensen led Warren Township High School to the 2014 Super-Sectional 4A title, then to a 4A Regional Championship in 2015. A hard-throwing righthander, she totaled an impressive 733 strikeouts over her three high school seasons, with a sub-1.00 ERA in her freshman and sophomore years. A two-time All-Conference First Team selection (2014, 2015), she was named to the Highest Honors honor roll all three years before graduating early from high school with a 3.95 GPA. Nommensen will make an impact right away for Carolina, as she plans to enroll this January in time to play for the Tar Heels in 2017.
“Hannah will be the first of the 2017's to get to Chapel Hill as she will graduate in December and join the team in January,” said Papa. “She will give us the opportunity to develop and utilize a varied pitching staff for the upcoming season. Hannah will add to the diversity of our staff with her ability to change planes and vary speeds. It will be exciting to see how it all fits together. Hannah will be a great addition to the team. We are thrilled to welcome her to Chapel Hill in a couple of months.”
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| Katie Grace Olinger |
Name: Katie Grace Olinger
Position: Pitcher
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hometown: Gainesville, Fla.
High School: Oak Hall
Travel Team: Indiana Magic 18U Gold
A right-handed pitcher from Gainesville, Florida, Katie Grace Olinger led Enka High School (Candler, N.C.) to the NCHSAA 3A state title as a sophomore, going 14-0 with 88 strikeouts and a 1.92 ERA. After earning First-Team All-State and All-MAC Conference First Team honors, Olinger returned to her home state of Florida to play for Oak Hall as a junior. This past spring, Olinger went 14-5 with an impressive 0.96 ERA and 241 strikeouts, totaling nine shutouts, four no-hitters and a perfect game. In addition to her prowess in the circle, Olinger has batted at least .380 all three seasons.
Olinger began her high school career playing travel ball for Carolina Elite, but joined Indiana Magic 18U Gold as a junior, with fellow future Tar Heels Dray and Parkinson.
“Katie Grace knows how to win, having captured a North Carolina State High School Championship,” said Papa. “Katie Grace brings many strengths, but mostly her ability to spin the ball well and create strong break and movement. With her championship mentality, I believe she has the grit to come in and compete in the ACC. She will be a great addition to this staff and the direction we are heading.”
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| Sierra Parkinson |
Name: Sierra Parkinson
Position: Middle Infield
Bats/Throws: L/R
Hometown: New Albany, Ohio
High School: New Albany
Travel Team: Indiana Magic 18U Gold
A middle infielder from New Albany, Ohio, Sierra Parkinson led the New Albany Eagles to their first district championship and appearance in Regionals in school history in 2015. A dangerous threat at the plate, Parkinson batted over .500 all three seasons, with a .600-plus on base percentage and 13 home runs. A two-time All-Ohio Capital Conference and all-district first team honoree, she was a member of the Ohio All-Stars team that took on the USA Junior National Team in 2015.
Parkinson played travel ball for the Chicago Bandits DeMarini 14U and 16U teams from 2012-14, before switching to the Indiana Magic 18U Gold team with fellow future Tar Heels Dray and Olinger.
“Sierra is a versatile player that will give us depth at second or short,” said Papa. “Defensively in the infield, she has good range, soft hands, and is game savvy. She has solid offensive skills and will be a threat at the plate, giving us another strong bat from the left side. Her maturity and passion for the game are apparent on and off the field. She will bring a strong work ethic and competitive mentality to our program.”
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| Hannah Todd |
Name: Hannah Todd
Position: Pitcher
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hometown: Cartersville, Ga.
High School: Cartersville
Travel Team: Georgia Force
A right-handed pitcher from Cartersville, Georgia, Hannah Todd totaled 220 strikeouts with a 1.25 ERA this past fall as a senior at Cartersville High School. An efficient hitter at the plate, the righty posted a .330 batting average with 12 extra-base hits and 23 RBIs in her final high school season. A two-time all-county selection (2015, 2016), Todd earned 2016 all-region honors after leading the Hurricanes to the round of 16 of the Georgia state playoffs.
Todd has enjoyed a prolific Travel Ball career, playing for five different teams over the years and winning ASA State Championships at the 10U, 12U, 14U and 16U level. Todd's travel teams posted a pair of top-10 finishes at PGF nationals, including a top-5 ranking in 2015.
“Hannah had her best high school season as a senior this past fall,” said Papa. “She continues to grow, mature and perform better with each year. Her velocity along with her movement compliment her ability to change speeds. Being the fierce competitor that she is, we are excited to see her growth continue in the ACC and help us compete for championships.”
