WILMINGTON, North Carolina – A group of five outstanding high school softball student-athletes has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend UNCW and play softball for the Seahawks beginning in the 2021-22 academic year.

The incoming class includes three standouts from North Carolina, including Mackenzie Amodeo (Goldsboro), Arial Pearce (Pine Level) and Elizabeth Winstead (Bunn). They will be joined by Virginia products Kara Hammock and Lauryn Richardson.

"We are thrilled that these ladies are joining us in 2021-22," Head Coach Kristy Norton said. "This class brings a lot to the team and we are happy to have them as part of our program."

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2021 UNCW Softball Recruits
 
Mackenzie Amodeo
Position: Catcher
Height: 5-8
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hometown: Goldsboro, N.C.
High School: Rosewood
Club Team: Lady Lightning Gold Elite
 
Highlights: Two-time All-Conference honoree for Coach Shay Campbell at Rosewood … hit .556 during shortened 2020 season … has fashioned a .454 career batting average along with .973 fielding percentage … earned Rosewood Team Co-MVP honors in 2019.
 
Coach Norton Says: "Mackenzie will be a great addition to our staff. She receives the ball well and offensively, she is continuing to get stronger because of the amount of time she puts into working on her swing."
 
Kara Hammock
Position: Pitcher
Height: 6-2
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hometown: Mechanicsville, Va.
High School: Atlee
Club Team: Lady Lightening Gold
 
Highlights: Second-Team All-Region selection in 2019 for Coach Tommy McIntyre at Atlee … fashioned a 2.07 earned run average in 91 innings pitched while hitting .269 with one home run and nine runs batted in … also registered 11 wins as a pitcher with 124 strikeouts … two-sport athlete at Atlee who also received Second-Team All-State and First-Team All-Region honors in volleyball … member of Atlee's Beta Club, which recognizes students with at least a 3.5 grade point average.
 
Coach Norton Says: "Kara has only gotten better since we received her verbal commitment last year. She will see a lot of time in the circle and throws a heavy ball. She can effectively control the lower part of the zone and that will be a key to her success here."
 
Arial Pearce
Position: Utility
Height: 5-7
Bats/Throws: L/L
Hometown: Pine Level, N.C.
High School: North Johnston
Club Team: Williamsburg Starz
 
Highlights: Two-time All-Conference and All-District selection for Coach Chris Batten … has posted a .495 career batting average with 57 hits and 20 runs batted in … authored a .450 batting average and .975 fielding percentage for Williamsburg Starz club team. 
 
Coach Norton Says: "Arial is an athletic first baseman and outfielder. She has speed and hits from the left side. She is still growing, which shows she will become stronger and faster. She knows the game very and her instincts are solid."
 
Lauryn Richardson
Position: Infield
Height: 5-2
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hometown: Moseley, Va.
High School: Cosby
Club Team: Virginia Unity
 
Highlights: Second-Team All-State performer for Coach Raymond Jeter at Cosby … also earned First-Team All-Region and Second-Team All-Metro distinction … has posted a .343 career batting average in addition to a .914 fielding percentage … posted a .400 batting average in shortened 2020 season … fashioned a .383 batting average while playing for Virginia Unity club team.   
 
Coach Norton Says: "Lauryn has grit and athleticism. She wants to win and she wants to help her team win. She is a middle infielder that can play a corner position, but I see her contributing most on the offensive side of the ball. She can hit for power and can spray the ball to all fields. Lauryn will be fun to watch."
 
Elizabeth Winstead
Position: Outfield
Height: 5-10
Bats/Throws: L/R
Hometown: Bunn, N.C.
High School: Rocky Mount Academy
Club Team: Lady Lightning Gold
 
Highlights: Two-time All-State and All-Conference pick for Coach Chuck Braswell … has posted a .579 career batting average at Rocky Mount Academy with 66 hits while scoring 81 runs … also has registered 48 stolen bases with 18 runs batted in.   
 
Coach Norton Says: "Elizabeth brings a lot of speed. She is a power slapper who will swipe a lot of bases for us. She is an outfielder who gets great reads and is really athletic."

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