Carolina Softball Inks Three to Class of 2022

CHAPEL HILL - Carolina softball head coach Donna J. Papa and her staff are excited to announce the addition of three future Tar Heels with the signing of their National Letters of Intent: MaKenna Raye Dark, Caroline Fox and Lilli Backes.

"While this is a small class in terms of numbers, it is an impactful class with the individuals that are a part of it," Papa said.

"They each bring a competitive presence and have experienced numerous successes with regard to state championships and competing on national levels with their travel teams. They are all students of the game, strong academically and quality people. I have enjoyed getting to know them over the years. I look forward to seeing them in Carolina blue and am excited they are officially Tar Heels."

Name: Makenna Raye Dark Makenna Raye Dark Signing

Position: Pitcher
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hometown: Mebane, N.C.
High School: Eastern Alamance High School
Travel Team: Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier 18u

A four-year letterwinner at Eastern Alamance High School, Makenna Dark is a pitcher for coach Daniel Lee Way.
A three-time all-conference honoree, Dark was named the 2019 Midstate Conference Player of the Year after helping Eastern Alamance to a 3A State Championship. That season, she had a 19-2 record in the circle with a 0.92 ERA and 289 strikeouts, while recording a .435 batting average, 10 home runs and 30 RBIs.

The 2020 North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year, Dark finished her junior year with 2020 3A All-State and
NC Fastpitch team honors. She has also earned Midstate Academic All-Conference honors every season.

On the travel ball circuit, Dark is a pitcher for the Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier 18u for coach Rock Thompson. With the Thunderbolts, Dark helped her team to the 2020 USA Gold National 18u Championship title and a third-place finish in the PGF Nationals in 2021.

"Kenna Raye is a warrior," Papa said. "She is no stranger to competition and has been an impact player on every team she has played. She always signs her emails with 'pressure is a privilege' and we're absolutely privileged to have her on our team with the pressures the ACC brings. Kenna has been part of our program for over 10 years, starting out as a bat girl and will carry out her dreams wearing the Tar Heel uniform. We're so excited to have another North Carolina representative join our team and see all she accomplishes in the Carolina blue."

A Mebane, N.C., native, Dark is the daughter of Raymond Gregory and Sandia Dark, and has an older sister, Milayn Elizabeth. Her father, Raymond, played football at Lenoir Ryne University. Dark is planning on majoring in exercise sports science at Carolina with the goal of becoming a physical or occupational therapist.

Name: Lilli Backes Lilli Backes Softball

Position: Pitcher
Bats/Throws: L/L
Hometown: Peachtree City, GA.
High School: Starr's Mill High School
Travel Team: Georgia Impact Gusaeff/O'Neil

A four-year letterwinner at Starr's Mill High School, Lilli Backes was a pitcher for Mark Williamson. A three-time region pitcher of the year and two-time first-team all-state selection, Backes finished her high school career with 912 career strikeouts. As a junior, she was named the 5A and Region Pitcher of the Year, before leading her team to the Region 2-AAAAA State Championship title in 2021.

Backes was also a pitcher for Georgia Impact Gusaeff/O'Neil for coach Chad O'Neil.

"Lilli Backes will join our team this spring and will add a finesse to our pitching lineup," Papa said. "She knows how to compete and win ball games. Lilli is no stranger to carrying a large workload and being the 'one.' We're looking forward to having her join our staff and building support around her. She will have an immediate impact with this program. We're truly excited to see all she will accomplish in Carolina blue."

A Peachtree, Ga., native, Backes is the daughter of Chris and Laura Backes and has an older brother, Nicholas. Backes plans on majoring in exercise and sports science and business administration at Carolina.

Name: Caroline Fox

Position: Middle Infield
Bats/Throws: L/R
Hometown: Knoxville, Tenn.
High School: Wayne Christian School
Travel Team: Team North Carolina-Eaton

A four-year letterwinner at Wayne Christian School, Caroline Fox is a middle infielder who plays for coach Tommy Fox, who is also her dad. Fox recorded a .575 batting average with 42 hits, 47 RBIs, 11 doubles, 4 triples, 4 home runs, 36 runs and 24 stolen bases as a junior in 2021, leading the Eagles to a runner-up finish at the NCISAA 2A Softball State Championship. She received all-state honors in 2021 and was also named to the All-Star PrepAwards All-Star team as a freshman in 2019.

As a sophomore, before COVID-19 ended the 2020 season early, Fox led the state of North Carolina with 42 hits in 21 games, while ranking second in RBIs with 47.

Fox also lettered and was a team captain in basketball at Wayne Christian, earning all-district, all-conference and all-state honors.

"Caroline Fox will be an exciting addition to our team," Papa said. "She is a fun player to watch play the game. She is a middle infielder that possess speed and power which makes her a threat on the offensive side. Defensively, she has a ton of range and makes the tough plays look easy. Caroline is the ultimate team player. We're excited to have another North Carolina player in our program and are looking forward to see what she will accomplish in Carolina blue."

A Knoxville, Tenn., native, Fox is the daughter of Tommy and Tara Fox, and has six siblings: Anna, Ella, Jack, Millie, Ben and Shelby. Father, Tommy, played basketball at Mountain State University. Mother, Tara, was also a student-athlete at Mountain State, playing on the volleyball team. Sister, Anna, is currently on the University of Tennessee's softball team. Fox plans on majoring in human development and family studies with the goal of becoming an elementary school teacher.

Stay up to date with Carolina Softball by following the Tar Heels on Twitter and Instagram.

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