Seven Future Tar Heels Sign National Letters of Intent

CHAPEL HILL – North Carolina head softball coach Donna J. Papa announced the addition of seven players to the Tar Heel softball team with the signing of National Letters of Intent on Wednesday. Carolina Cagle will enroll at UNC in January for the 2020 season while Kayla Baptista, Skyler Books, Aneshia Jordan, Brooke Miller, Kiannah Pierce and Carsyn Snead will join the Tar Heels for the 2021 season.

"This is always an exciting and special time of the year for me and my staff – a day we officially welcome new Tar Heels and their families to our Carolina softball family," Papa said. "The players getting ready to sign and our staff has been waiting for this for a couple of years now. Overall, this class will bring the elements of speed, power and pitching. They will solidify us on the defensive side, both infield and outfield positions. Academically and leadership-wise, this is an impressive class, with many of them being honor students and holding leadership positions at their respective high schools. This class is a great fit for our program and university. Their personalities, work ethic and attitudes fit into our culture very well. "

Name: Caroline Cagle Caroline Cagle UNC Softball

Position: Pitcher
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 5-9
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
High School: Wimberley HS
Travel Team: Texas Blaze

A three-year letter winner at Wimberley High School, Caroline Cagle is a pitcher for coaches Chris Farias and Robert Klick. Cagle is a two-time first-team all-district honoree. She also earned all-state honors and was named the district MVP. On the travel circuit, Cagle played for the Texas Blaze for coach Jim Bonola where she helped the team to a ninth-place finish in the Premier Bracket at PGF.

"Caroline will be joining us as a Tar Heel player this spring, being exposed to the college game right away," Papa said. "We look forward to welcoming her in January. She is a talented pitcher that will solidify our pitching staff, giving us great depth. She is someone we are looking to have an immediate impact on our program with her power and arsenal of pitches. Our team and staff are excited to welcome Caroline and her family to our Tar Heel Softball family and on campus shortly."

Cagle also competed in volleyball and basketball at Wimberley for two seasons each, earning varsity letters in basketball both seasons. A Dallas, Texas native, Cagle is the daughter of Melanie and Jason Cagle and has older sister, Emma, and two younger siblings, Kate and Matthew. A member of National Honor Society, Cagle plans to major in political science.

Name: Kayla Baptista Kayla Baptista UNC Softball

Position: Middle infield / outfield
Bats/Throws: L/R
Height: 5-3
Hometown: Smithfield, Rhode Island
High School: La Salle Academy
Travel Team: RI Thunder Gold 18U-Lotti

A four-year varsity starter at La Salle Academy, Kayla Baptista is a middle infielder/outfielder for coach Maurice Jackson. Baptista began her high school career as a third-team all-state and all-division honoree. She followed suite with first-team all-state and all-division honors as both a sophomore and junior. Baptista wrapped up her junior year hitting .688 with a .758 on-base percentage and a perfect 34 for 34 on the base paths. A two-time Gatorade Player of the Year nominee, she helped La Salle to a Division I State Championship in 2019 and has been named a team captain for the 2020 season. Baptista has played for the RI Thunder Gold 18U since eighth grade. Competing in the 55-meter dash and long jump, Baptista is also a two-time state champion in track & field at La Salle.

"Kayla will be an exciting player to watch as she brings an element of outstanding speed to the field," Papa said. "Her skill set, playing both infield and outfield, in combination with her ability to steal bases, fits our style very well. She has had great successes at the high school level, winning state championships and achieving many honors on and off the field. We're excited to welcome Kayla and her family to our Tar Heel Softball family."

A Smithfield, Rhode Island native, Baptista is the daughter of Kimberly and Joseph Baptista, and has two younger sisters, Sarah and Marissa. Baptista participated in student council as a freshman and sophomore and earned high honors every quarter of high school. A National Honor Society member, Baptista plans to major in exercise and sport science or sports analytics.

Name: Skyler Brooks Skyler Brooks UNC Softball

Position: Middle infield
Bats/Throws: S/R
Height: 5-3
Hometown: San Angelo, Texas
High School: Miles HS
Travel Team: Texas Blaze

A four-year five-sport student-athlete at Miles High School, Skyler Brooks is a shortstop and four-year letter winner in softball, as well as competing in track & field, basketball, volleyball and tennis. A two-time all-state selection, Brooks was also named to the all-west Texas team. She earned district MVP honors and picked up the district hitter of the year accolade. Brooks was one of only 40 players in the state to be named to the TGCA Class 2A all-state team while also being named a first-team all-state shortstop in 2A by the Texas Sports Writers Association. The All-West Texas softball team Hitter of the Year, batted .790 and had seven home runs as a junior. On the travel circuit, Brooks played for the Texas Blaze under coaches Mike Prinzo, John Carpenter and Jim Banola. She is a middle infielder, ranked 13th in the 2020 class by FloSoftball. In addition to softball, Brooks qualified for the state championship in the 100-meter, 200-meter and long jump events in track & field. A three-time district champion in tennis, Brooks earned first-team all-district honors as point guard and middle blocker. Most recently, she helped her Miles HS to the 2019 regional quarterfinal championship. Brooks was named the MVP in track & field and basketball in addition to softball.

"Skyler comes to us as a very accomplished and well-rounded athlete in a number of sports," Papa said. "She will provide power and speed on the offensive side as a switch hitter. On the defensive side, she will be a fun player to watch as she plays with high energy, a strong skill set, as well as a strong leadership presence. We are thrilled to welcome Skyler and her family to our Tar Heel Softball family."

A San Angelo, Texas native, Brooks is the daughter of Lacy and Charles and has an older brother, Asa. Named Miles' best female athlete, Brooks is a member of National Honor Society.

Name: Aneshia "Nee Nee" Jordan Aneshia Jordan UNC Softball

Position: Outfield
Bats/Throws: L/R
Height: 5-3
Hometown: Rocky Point, North Carolina
High School: Topsail HS
Travel Team: Carolina Cardinals

A four-year letterwinner at Topsail High School, Aneshia Jordan is an outfielder for coach Eric Phillips. A three-time spotlight athlete, Jordan was named first-team all-conference and all-area twice. Jordan plays for the Carolina Cardinals under coaches John Garner and Rick Mchone. The outfielder helped the Cardinals to FloSoftball Fab 50 honors and a third place finish at the Colorado Triple Crown Tournament.

"Nee Nee comes to us from the Cardinals organization," Papa said. "She has come from a great coaching background, so we know we are getting a seasoned player that has been coached well and held to a high standard. She has great speed and fits well in our baserunning mindset. As a slapper and outfielder, she will strengthen our offense and defense giving us depth in both areas. We are thrilled to welcome her and her family to our Tar Heel family."

A Rocky Point, North Carolina native, Jordan is the daughter of Shameka Jordan and William Hansley and has five siblings: Tyrese, Tyquan, Ritavian, Brandon and Bradford. Jordan plans to major in business.

Name: Brooke Miller Brooke Miller UNC Softball

Position: Infield
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height: 5-5
Hometown: Suwanee, Georgia
High School: Lambert HS
Travel Team: Carolina Elite

A four-year letterwinner at Lambert High School, Brooke Miller is a pitcher and shortstop for coach Brooks Youngblood. Named rookie of the year, Miller earned all-county, all-region and all-state honors. An infielder for Tony Genovese on the Carolina Elite, Miller helped the team to a third place finish at the USA Softball Junior Olympic Cup. Miller also played for the Southern Force with coach David Martin for four years. Carolina Elite won the Triple Crown southeast nationals and placed third at both IDT Louisville and ASA Gold tournaments.

"Brooke will add defensive depth to our infield," Papa said. "She is very versatile as she has played multiple positions on both the right and left side. In addition, Brooke spent some time in the circle for her high school team which helped strengthen her competitive mindset. We are excited to Brooke and her family in the Tar Heel softball family!"

A native of Suwanee, Georgia, Miller is the daughter of Mickey and Michelle Miller, and has two siblings Zoe and Dawson. Father, Mickey, played football at Jacksonville State and helped the Gamecocks with the 1992 Division II Football Championship. A member of the Beta Club, HOSA and the National Technical Honor Society, Miller is a certified phlebotomist and plans to major in exercise and sport science to become a nurse practitioner.

Name: Kiannah "Kiwi" Pierce Kiannah Pierce UNC Softball

Position: Middle infield/outfield
Bats/Throws: L/R
Height: 5-5
Hometown: Sacramento, California
High School: Sheldon HS
Travel Team: LTG Lions – Henderson/Lively

A four-year letterwinner at Sheldon High School, Kiannah Pierce is a shortstop for coach Mary Jo Truesdale. Selected to the 2018 and 2019 NFCA High School all-region (west) and all-American teams, Pierce led Sheldon HS as team captain as a junior and will as a senior. A standout sophomore and junior year, Pierce was named to the CalHiSports All-State Underclass first-team, Sacramento Bee's all-metro first-team and the SportsStars Magazine All-City Team in 2018 and 2019. The two-time all-Delta League first-team selection, the middle infielder led the league in batting average, on-base percentage and hits. Pierce earned most valuable offensive player honors for Sheldon High School. On the travel circuit, she played outfield for coach Joe Henderson on the LTG Lions. Pierce helped her team to a ninth place finish at the 2019 Premier PGF Nationals and earned a berth to the 2020 Premier PGF Nationals.

"Kiwi has achieved a number of accolades on the field and off," Papa said. "Kiwi comes from a great organization and knowledgeable coaching staff. She has learned the game, so she can adapt well to different positions and situations easily. She brings speed and versatility to our program, defensively as a middle infielder and outfielder. Her offensive abilities make her a triple threat at the plate. She will challenge defenses and bring strength to our lineup. We are thrilled to welcome Kiwi and her family to our Tar Heel Softball family."

A Sacramento, California native, Pierce is the daughter of Tasha Pierce and has two brothers, Elijah and Josiah. A three-time scholar-athlete award winner, Pierce is a member of student leadership at Sheldon High School.

Name: Carsyn Snead Carsyn Snead UNC Softball

Position: Outfield
Bats/Throws: L/R
Height: 5-4
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
High School: William Mason HS
Travel Team: Ohio Hawks

A four-year letterwinner at William Mason High School, Carsyn Snead is an outfielder for coaches Leann Muff and Dave Bell. A first-team all-Greater Miami Conference (GMC) honoree, Snead helped Mason HS to two conference and three district championships. Snead led the team and ranked second in the GMC with 38 runs as a junior. She hit. 510 with a .590 on-base percentage and 19 stolen bases. Snead played centerfield for the Ohio Hawks with coach Wendell Hutchinson. Leading the Hawks to two PGF national berths, Snead was named a top-five player at PGF Nationals. Snead improved her batting average from .427 in 2017 to .452 in 2018 and .520 in 2019, averaging 38 stolen bases per season. Snead led the Hawks to the Virginia Beach and Crown Point PGF Qualifier championships.

"Carsyn has been a top offensive performer on both her high school and travel team," Papa said. "She is a true outfielder with very good range. Her ability to run the bases, especially steal bases, coupled with her speed will make her an exciting player to watch. She is one of the fastest players I have seen in a while. She can get on base through a variety of methods and will allow our power hitters to have someone on base to bring in. We are thrilled to welcome Carsyn and her family to our Tar Heel Softball family."

A Cincinnati, Ohio native, Snead is the daughter of Victoria Shields and Kevin Snead, and has two older brothers: Dylan and Tanner. An honor roll member at William Mason, Snead plans to major in exercise and sport science.

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