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Softball Brandon Sans

Softball Inks Seven For 2026 Season

WILMINGTON, North Carolina – UNCW softball Head Coach Ashley Wade has announced the addition of seven players to the Seahawks program for the 2026 season.

"I am extremely thrilled to officially welcome the 2025 class to UNCW, said Wade. "Collectively, these seven student-athletes add consistency, power and speed to our offense, strengthen our defense, and add velocity and elite spin to our pitching staff.

"This group knows what it takes to win and will positively contribute to our championship culture both on and off the field. I look forward to welcoming this group to Wilmington and seeing the significant impact they make on our program in pursuit of another CAA championship."

2025 Softball Signing Class

Envey Duran
Position: C/3B
Height: 5-5
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hometown: Bayonne N.J.
High School: Weehawken High School 
Club Team: Unity
 
Highlights: Hit .533 with 14 home runs, 55 RBI and 33 extra-base hits for Weehawken under Head Coach Raquel Roder …. Scored 29 runs and worked 16 walks … slugged 1.256 in high school … named to the All-State as well as Athlete of the Week … produced a .415 on-base percentage for Unity Coach Juan Torres in travel ball along with three home runs across 39 at-bats.

Coach Wade Says: "Envey has a great presence behind the plate, she controls the game well, and is a pitchers' dream as a receiver. Her ability to drive in runs and consistently hit for power to all fields will greatly enhance our lineup. She has received many accolades at the high school level and I'm ecstatic for her to get to Wilmington and add her skillset to our program."
 

Becca Merrick
Position: OF/IF
Height: 5-9
Bats/Throws: L/R
Hometown: Wirtz, Va.
High School: Franklin County High School
Club Team: VA Phoenix Wood 18U
 
Highlights:  Batted .435 with a pair of home runs and 19 RBI with 27 hits and 29 runs scored as a junior at Franklin County High School under Coach Bryan Forbes … was the first Division I softball commit for the VA Phoenix Wood team under Head Coach Allen Wood … hit .526 with a 1.255 on-base plus slugging percentage while driving in 12 runs … also played varsity volleyball as a freshman at Franklin County …. Brother, Brayden, plays baseball at Virginia Tech and Bluefield State.

Coach Wade Says: "Becca has all of the tools necessary to be a high-impact player for us on both sides of the ball. Her athleticism, speed, and finesse make her an excellent defensive player with great range in the outfield and in the dirt. She is a true lefty power hitter who also utilizes small ball to enhance her offensive prowess. We couldn't be more excited that Becca has found her home in Wilmington.

Ava Brookshire
Position: 3B/SS
Height: 5-8
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hometown: Hoschton, Ga.
High School: Mill Creek High School
Club Team: AP Gold
 
Highlights: Region 8AAAAAA Player of the year … Top 80 senior in Georgia (HR derby champion during event) … Mill Creek finished 3rd in Georgia's highest class … hit .496 with a school record 13 home runs and a school record 63 RBI .. produced a 1.540 on-base plus slugging at Mill Creek for Coach Ballew … team leader in home runs (12) and RBI (48) with a .488 average on AP Gold club team under Coach Brogdan) … father, Josh, lettered for two years in baseball at Mercer after playing two-seasons at Gordon College … sister, Breanna, is currently a sophomore on the Brenau University softball team.

Coach Wade Says: "Ava is a highly decorated player with a very mature skillset in the infield and the ability to change a game with one swing. With her work ethic and commitment to excellence, she has the potential to make an immediate impact on our team and to be an immediate contributor to our offense. She has found a great deal of success competing at a high level in Georgia and I'm excited for her to bring that experience to our team!"
 

Evan Smith
Position: P
Height: 5-11
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas
High School: Southwest Christian School
Club Team: Texas Sudden Impact Oglesby
 
Highlights: Two-time First-Team All-State performer at Southwest Christian School under Coach Jennifer Cline … went 18-4 in the circle with a 1.17 ERA and 245 strikeouts last season … was named the 2023 District Pitcher of the Year as well as the 2024 District Most Valuable Player … hit .529 with 10 home runs and 49 RBI at the plate … 2024 NCSAA All-American as both as hitter and pitcher as well as a 2023-24 Academic All-State player … also played volleyball in 2023 … played travel with Texas Sudden Impact Oglesby under Coach Amy Oglesby … father Justin Smith played football at the University of Nebraska.

Coach Wade Says: "Evan will enhance the Seahawk pitching staff by continuing to add elite spin and great command of her change of speeds. She has made a name for herself as a two-way player at the high school level in Texas, hitting for power and amassing over 500 strikeouts in the circle as a junior. Evan has a high ceiling and will make an immediate impact on our pitching staff."
 

Emily Whitwell
Position: UTIL
Height: 5-4
Bats/Throws: L/R
Hometown: Monticello, Ga.
High School: Piedmont Academy
Club Team: Louisville Sluggers
 
Highlights: Batted .650 in most recent high school season at Piedmont Academy under Coach Joe Johnson … helped the Louisville Sluggers and Coach Shannon Wathen win the 2023 Alliance National Championship with a .400 batting average … also played basketball and ran track.

Coach Wade Says: "Emily is a dynamic player who is a true offensive triple threat, continuously challenging an opponent's defense. Her speed is a difference-maker on the bases which will play well into our aggressive style of base running. Emily is a skilled defender with an incredibly strong arm and I look forward to adding such a strong and passionate player to our roster."
 

Camille Hamilton
Position: P/OF/1B
Height: 5-9
Bats/Throws: L/R
Hometown: Garner, N.C.
High School: South Gardner High School
Club Team: NC Bandits National 18U Ogburn
 
Highlights: Pitched to a 2.16 ERA with 147 strikeouts under Coach Amy Goodine at South Gardner High School … at the plate, hit .609 with a .727 on-base percentage and 20 stolen bases ... under Coach Joe Ogburn at the NC Bandits National 18U went 5-0 with 34 strikeouts and a 2.15 ERA during fall 2024 … .419 batting average with a 1.156 on-base plus slugging percentage during the gall … also played tennis, volleyball and ran indoor track … her Aunt Irish played basketball at East Carolina and her other Aunt Angelia played basketball at North Carolina A&T.

Coach Wade Says: "We are excited to add one of the best players in North Carolina to our roster in Millie. Her strong presence on the mound, paired with her dominant spin and speed, will be a tremendous complement to our pitching staff. She also hits for power from the left side and is a true athlete. We are excited to see the immediate impact Millie will make as a Seahawk!"
 

Kylie Gower
Position: IF/OF
Height: 5-4
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hometown: Buford, Ga.
High School: Buford High School
Club Team: Athletics Gold 
 
Highlights: Two-time Georgia High School Class 6A State Softball State Champion … Georgia High School Class 6A State Softball State Runner-Up … Three-time GHSA Region 8-6A Champions … GHSA All-Region Second-Teamer … GHSA All-State selection … hit .314 with a .286 average with runners in scoring position along with 20 runs, 13 RBI and 12 stolen bases under Coach Trent Adams at Buford …Played for Athletics Gold and Coach Stacy Tamborra where she produced a .443 on-base percentage, a .392 slugging percentage with 26 hits, 21 runs and worked 11 walks.

Coach Wade Says: "Kylie is a versatile defender and will provide depth for us in the infield and the outfield. She is a proven winner, helping to lead her Georgia powerhouse high school team to three state championship games. Kylie's competitiveness, grit and leadership ability will further contribute to our championship culture at UNCW. Her consistency at the plate and all-out athleticism are something we are really excited to have as part of our roster."
 
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