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Softball Signees Summer 2027

Softball Brandon Sans

Softball Inks Six for 2027

WILMINGTON, N.C. – UNCW softball head coach Ashley Wade continued to restock the 2027 roster for the defending Coastal Athletic Association South Division Champions with the addition of six players for the upcoming campaign.
 
A trio of NCAA Division I transfers – Mary "Mimi" Gooden (Florida State), Alayna Gaddy (Jacksonville) and Emma Slutzah (Campbell) – headline the summer additions along with Louisburg College transfer Kennedy Linhardt and incoming freshmen Sheridan Andrews and Marissa Bernheimer.
 
"Collectively, this group enhances our team by bringing a great combination of athleticism, competitiveness, postseason experience, versatility, offensive power, and strength in the circle and on defense," said Wade. "Each incoming player adds something unique that we are excited will make an immediate impact on our team. This year's incoming class, combined with the 18 returners from last year's CAA South Division Championship team, will elevate our program as we compete for another CAA championship."
 
The six players join a strong group of returning Seahawks that include two-time All-CAA performer Madison Biddle, 2026 CAA Pitcher and Rookie of the Year Camille Hamilton and 2026 All-CAA First Teamer Cassidy Relay.
 
2026 Softball Signing Class

Sheridan Andrews
Position: Infield/Utility
Height: 5-7
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hometown: Birmingham, Ala.
High School: Oak Mountain High School
Club Team: Mississippi Bombers National
 
Highlights: hit .418 with four home runs and 16 RBI as a senior at Oak Mountain under coach Telma O'Neal … scored 29 runs and worked 19 walks …  five-year varsity starter with 186 career hits … four-time All-County and All-Metro, All Birmingham Region Terrific 22 … hit .468 with nine home runs and 48 RBI in summer of 2025 under coach Tony Knight for Mississippi Bombers, who went 43-6-1 … awarded 16U Alliance National All Tournament Team …  member of Colorado Sparkler Supplemental Power Pool Championship as well as Alliance Nationals 16U Tier 3 Champions.

Coach Wade Says: "Sheridan's versatility gives us valuable depth within the infield and outfield. Her experience against high-level competition as part of the Bombers organization has prepared her for the transition into the CAA."

Marissa Bernheimer
Position: Infield
Height: 5-9
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hometown: Chesapeake, Va.
High School: Western Branch High School
Club Team: NC Challengers Renzi
 
Highlights:  Posted a .616 average with five home runs and 35 RBI under coach Sarah Wright at Western Branch … batted .451 with seven roundtrippers and 24 runs driven in for coach Adam Renzi on NC Challengers club ... Virginia Region 6A Player of the Year in 2026.

Coach Wade Says: "Having worked with Marissa at our camps, we are excited about the consistent growth that she's had over the years. She brings a good glove, strong defense at the corners and adds raw power to our lineup."

Alayna Gaddy
Position: Infield
Height: 5-7
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hometown: Zebulon, N.C.
High School: Corinth Holders High School
Previous School: Jacksonville (Fla.)
Club Team: Mojo Sherrill/Fury Platinum
 
Highlights: Posted a .288 average with 11 home runs and 36 RBI across two seasons at Jacksonville … led Dolphins with seven home runs as a freshman in 2025 along with the fifth highest slugging percentage (.722) in ASUN play … had back-to-back home runs at Queens (N.C.) on May 3, 2025 … returned to hit .315 as a sophomore in 2026 with four home runs and 19 RBI plus six doubles … played in 94 career games with 75 starts … four-time All-Conference performer at Corinth Holders under UNCW alum Nella Chamblee … as well as four-time All-Academic winner … nominated for Corinth Holders Scholar Athlete award … 2024 WRAL Tom Suitor Extra Effort award winner … Golden Glove award winner … also played tennis as a senior in high school.

Coach Wade Says: "Alayna brings valuable experience, leadership, and the ability to change a game with one swing. Her power, athleticism, and versatility within the infield will make an immense impact on our program."

Mary "Mimi" Gooden
Position: Pitcher
Height: 5-5
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hometown: Milton, Fla.
High School: Vivian Gaither High School
Previous School: Florida State
Club Team: Clearwater Lady Bombers 
 
Highlights:  Made 35 appearances and 13 starts in 2024 and 2025 at Florida State … totaled 67 innings with a 5-2 record and a 4.39 ERA with 33 strikeouts across the two seasons …. tossed a five-inning complete game shutout against Florida A&M with four strikeouts in second career appearance and first career start in 2024 … struck out career-high five across four innings against Alabama State … team MVP at Gaither all four seasons … finished her senior season with 100 innings, 16 wins and 174 strikeouts … played club for Clearwater Lady Bombers under head coach Karl Mason.
 
Coach Wade Says: "After spending the last three years at Florida State, Mimi knows what it takes to compete at the highest level, and her postseason experience will be an invaluable asset to our team. Her spin, command, and ability to keep hitters off balance will make our pitching staff even stronger."

Kennedy Linhardt
Position: Catcher/Utility
Height: 5-3
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hometown: Pasquotank, N.C.
High School: Nansemond River High School
Previous School: Louisburg College
Club Team: Hanover Hornets
 
Highlights:  Hit .333 with one home run and 14 RBI with nine stolen bases across 37 games at Louisburg College …. Batted .545 with seven home runs at Nansemond River under coach Gabe Rogers … also slugged 1.091 with a 1.688 OPS … played for Hanover Hornets under coach Christian Simmers … father Anthony caught and played shortstop at VCU in the late 90's.

Coach Wade Says: "Kennedy comes from a successful Louisburg program with consistent postseason experience and adds depth behind the plate and in the infield. Her speed and athleticism will strengthen our team on both sides of the ball."

Emma Slutzah
Position: Outfield 
Height: 5-5
Bats/Throws: R/R
Hometown: Mechanicsville, Va.
High School: Hanover High School
Previous School: Campbell
Club Team: Hanover Hornets
 
Highlights: Hit .307 with one home run and 46 RBI across two seasons at Campbell … batted .361 for Camels in 2026 with a .434 slugging percentage and .447 on-base percentage across 42 games, including 40 starts … had 13 multi-hit games in 2026 … launched first career home run against Queens (N.C.) … drove in 11 runs as a freshman across 25 starts … spent four years at Hanover High School under coaches Tommy Evans and Mike Rohr … named VHSL Region 4B First Team All-Region, VHSL Class 4 First Team All-State and Richmond Times-Dispatch First Team All-Metro in 2022 … Batted .433 with 26 hits, 27 RBIs and three home runs in 2022 … earned VHSL Region 4B Second Team All-Region and Richmond Times-Dispatch Honorable Mention All-Metro honors in 2023 … helped lead Hanover to VHSL Region 4B championships in 2021, 2022 and 2023, and a VHSL Class 4 state runner-up finish in 2021 … played travel ball for Hanover Hornets 18U under head coach Mark Stuffel.

Coach Wade Says: "Emma is a fierce competitor in the box and a tough out at the plate. Her defensive consistency, experience, and previous success in the CAA will make a strong impact on our program. We are excited she found her home in Teal and no longer have to face her in an opposing dugout!"
 
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Players Mentioned

Madison Biddle

#14 Madison Biddle

IF
5' 4"
Junior
R/R
Cassidy Relay

#33 Cassidy Relay

OF
5' 2"
Junior
L/L
Camille Hamilton

#19 Camille Hamilton

P/UTIL
5' 9"
Freshman
L/R

Players Mentioned

Madison Biddle

#14 Madison Biddle

5' 4"
Junior
R/R
IF
Cassidy Relay

#33 Cassidy Relay

5' 2"
Junior
L/L
OF
Camille Hamilton

#19 Camille Hamilton

5' 9"
Freshman
L/R
P/UTIL