Softball Inks Five On Signing Day

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Carolina softball head coach Donna J. Papa and her staff are excited to announce the addition of five future Tar Heels with the signing of their National Letters of Intent: Nikki Harris, Sanaa Thompson, Raeghan Carlson, Janelle Wilson and Kate Bubela.

"This class has been a few years in the making. They are a dynamic group. I am truly excited about what each person brings to our program. Athletically, they have offensive power and speed as well as pitching and catching. It will be a fun group to coach with all their talents and personalities. They are easy to be around and have had numerous successes in high school and travel ball and in the classroom. We are so excited to welcome them all to Chapel Hill officially as Tar Heels." - Donna J. Papa

Name: Sanaa Thompson
Position: Outfield
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hometown: Dallas, Ga.
High School: North Paulding High School
Travel Team: Georgia Impact- Janney

Three-time First Team All-State selection
2021 GADC All-State All-Star Game
Owns North Paulding's career records for batting average (.474), runs scored (135), hits (154) and triples (24)
During 2022 season, broke North Paudling's single-season records for batting average (.560), runs scored (50), hits (56), triples (11) and home runs (10)
Two-sport athlete, also a three-year letterwinner in women's basketball

"Sanaa is a very versatile and talented athlete in the outfield and middle infield. The combination of her power and speed makes her a force at the plate. She covers a lot of ground in the outfield with a strong arm that makes her tough to run on." – head coach Donna J. Papa

Name: Nikki Harris
Position: Pitcher
Bats/Throws: L/L
Hometown: Flowery Branch, Ga.
High School: Flowery Branch School
Travel Team: Atl Vipers 18u Gold Tamborra

Two-time First Team All-Region selection
2022 & 2021 Region Pitcher of the Year
2022 First Team All-State
646 career strikeouts

"Nikki has a fiery personality and it showed from our first phone call in the recruiting process. She has a true passion for ball and playing at the highest level. Nikki will be our third lefty pitcher on staff and has left her name in the record books at Flowery Branch and we are so excited to see where she will write her name in Carolina's." – Associate head coach/pitching coach Chelsey Dobbins

Name: Janelle Wilson
Position: Pitcher/Utility
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hometown: Friendswood, Texas
High School: Friendswood High School
Travel Team: Texas Blaze Fastpitch

2022, 2021 First Team All-District Utility
2022 Second Team All-County pitcher
2021 First Team All-County pitcher
Three-time district champion

"We're excited to add Janelle's versatility to our team. Playing multiple positions, pitching especially, and having home run power will allow her to keep runs off the board for our opponents and put them up for us. She is the type of player that will sneak up on you." - Associate head coach/pitching coach Chelsey Dobbins

Name: Raeghan Carlson
Position: Catcher/Infield
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hometown: Thorndale, Texas
High School: Thorndale High School
Travel Team: Texas Blaze United 18u

2022, 2021 First Team All-District Defensive MVP District 27-AA
2022 Third Team All-State by Texas Sports Writers Association
2021 Texas 2A Divison All-State at 3rd Base by Texas Girls Coaches Association
2021 2A First Team All-State 3rd base by Texas Sports Writers Association
Set Thorndale High School HR record as a freshman during the COVID-19 shortened season in 2020 (6 HR in 19 games), before breaking it again as a sophomore with 17 home runs

"Raeghan is talented behind the plate with a vocal command, strong arm, and big bat. Her addition to our catching staff will add the most depth we have had. Our pitching staff is lucky to be working with her as she has great command and presence on the field." – Associate head coach/pitching coach Chelsey Dobbins

Name: Kate Bubela
Position: Infield
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hometown: Wharton, Texas
High School: El Campo High School
Travel Team: Lady Dukes 18U - Lamar/Burgess

Extra Innings Extra Elite Top 100 Class of 2023 Rankings - No. 28 overall / MIF No. 22 (2021)
2021 First Team All-State
2021 Alliance Fastpitch National Championship- Elite 8
2022 Top Club National Championship Second Team All-Tournament
2022 TFL Summer Championship 2nd Team All-Tournament
Three-time All-District academic team selection

"We are excited to add Kate's power and athleticism to our team. She comes to us with great range, a strong arm and good game sense at shortstop. Her game is one that will be fun to watch every time she takes the field." – head coach Donna J. Papa

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