University of Northern Iowa Athletics
UNI softball adds eight players on 2023 National Signing Day
11/10/2023 10:21:00 AM | Softball
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — UNI softball officially announced the signing of eight players to its 2024 recruiting class on Friday morning following Wednesday's National Signing Day. The eight-player class includes seven prep athletes and one junior college transfer.
Skylar Benesh, Katelyn Callahan, Carly Goodwin, Drew Hinrichs, Katy Olive, Brynlee Slockett, Ella Smithson and Morgan Vertz are the eight athletes that will be joining the Panthers for the 2024 season.
"We could not be more excited about our class of 2024 recruits," said head coach Ryan Jacobs. "This year we will be graduating one of the largest senior classes in my time at UNI. So, the 2024 recruiting class was a little more difficult in the sense that we needed to find a lot of program needs in one class. The unique thing is that although it's a large group, it took no time to figure out that we were the right fit for each other. They all wanted to be Panthers quickly."
Jacobs credited assistant coaches Monica Wright and Garrett Furnal for their hard work in bringing the 2024 class together, and cited their time and effort as primary reasons for the completion of Panther softball's eight-player class.
"Recruiting a large, high-level talent class like this would not happen without the extra efforts of Coach Wright and Coach Furnal," Jacobs said. "I can't express how great it is to go to work with both of them on the recruiting trail and collaborate in bringing in the best prospects for our program."
Skylar Benesh - Walker, Iowa (North Linn HS) - UT/INF
Benesh is one of four in-state athletes to sign with the Panthers in their 2024 recruiting class. The Walker, Iowa native is a four-sport athlete at North Linn High School, and competes in volleyball, basketball and track in addition to softball. Benesh has earned plenty of accolades at the high school level, including leading the Lynx to Iowa High School Girls Athletic Union (IGHSAU) Class 1A Softball Championships in 2021 in 2023. Benesh hit .500 last season as the Lynx took home the state championship in 2023, and she set North Linn program records for career home runs and single season home runs along the way. Benesh hit two home runs in North Linn's 6-0 state championship victory over Martensdale-St. Marys.
Additionally, Benesh has been named to the Iowa Girls Coaches Association (IGCA) 1A Northeast All-District Team for three consecutive seasons and to the IGCA 1A First Team All-State in 2021 and 2023. Benesh has been named to the Des Moines Register's All-Iowa State Team for three consecutive seasons and has been one of the Lynx's team captains for the last two seasons.
In addition to her success on the diamond, Benesh helped the Lynx qualify for the IGHSAU Class 1A Basketball Tournament in three consecutive years and has also qualified for the state track meet in consecutive seasons.
"Skylar is a fierce competitor and will bring a huge sense of toughness, speed, and a very strong bat to the program," Jacobs said. "Being a standout multi-sport athlete in high school, the time she had to devote to softball was limited. It is very exciting to think about how she may develop as a softball player when she concentrates all her energy into it."
Katelyn Callahan - Mishicot, Wisconsin (Mishicot HS) - Outfield/1B
Callahan hails from Mishicot, Wisconsin and is one of three Wisconsin natives that will be joining the Panthers in 2024. Callahan holds Mishicot High School's program record for career batting average, posting an impressive .603 clip entering her senior season. She has a track record as an excellent offensive player with the statistics to boot, as Callahan has posted an on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) of 1.813 and 1.599 in her last two high school seasons, respectively.
She was named to the Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association (WFSCA) First Team All-State in 2021 and 2022, and she was an all-district and all-conference honoree as well. Callahan was the Big East Conference Player of the Year in 2021 and 2022, as well as a two-time USA Today Northeast Wisconsin Softball Player of the Year nominee. Callahan has led Mishicot High School to three consecutive conference and regional championships. Additionally, Callahan helped lead Mishicot to a state championship in 2021.
Callahan's commitment to the Panthers is a homecoming of sorts, as she grew up in nearby Cedar Rapids before moving to Wisconsin in middle school.
"Katelyn is a very dedicated, passionate softball player," Jacobs said. "Along with her passion for the game she is very athletic and is able to play anywhere the team needs her. Katelyn has proven she is one of the best hitters from the state of Wisconsin and also has shown a tremendous work ethic on and off the field."
Carly Goodwin - Sigourney, Iowa (Sigourney Jr.-Sr. HS) - RHP
Goodwin is one of two pitchers in the Panthers' 2024 signing class, and is one of the more highly-touted recruits of the eight-player class. Currently, Goodwin is ranked as the No. 23 prospect in the country by Perfect Game Softball and has cemented herself as one of the most dominant high school pitchers in Iowa during her prep career.
The Sigourney, Iowa native is a three-sport athlete at Sigourney Jr.-Sr. High School, competing in basketball and track in addition to softball. Goodwin has participated on the high school varsity team at Sigourney for four seasons, with her first coming as an eighth grader in 2020. Her prep career has been nothing short of stellar, starting with making the South Iowa Cedar League (SICL) All-Conference Second Team as an eighth grader. Goodwin has been named first-team all conference and all-district for three consecutive seasons.
She was named to the IGCA 1A First Team All-State in consecutive seasons and was selected as the 2023 KMA Sports Pitcher of the Year for all classifications in Iowa. Goodwin has been extremely dominant in the circle throughout her high school career, posting an ERA under 1.00 for the last three seasons. She posted 277 strikeouts and a 0.67 ERA as a freshman in 2021 and 260 strikeouts and a 0.55 ERA as a sophomore in 2022. Her junior season was her most impressive yet, with 325 strikeouts and a sparkling 0.19 ERA.
Goodwin led Sigourney High School to the IGHSAU Class 1A Softball Tournament in 2021 and 2023, where the team placed fifth place in both seasons. Sigourney High School has also won the SICL Championship in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Goodwin is a three-time varsity letterwinner in basketball and track and field.
"Carly is a well-rounded pitcher with plus speed and movement," Jacobs said. "She is a bulldog on the mound and led the state of Iowa in multiple statistics including strikeouts. Her untapped potential is very high."
Drew Hinrichs - Watertown, Wisconsin (Watertown HS) - Catcher/1B
Hinrichs is an impact bat that posted a .410 batting average last season at Watertown High School. The Watertown, Wisconsin native is a two-time WFSCA First Team All-District selection and was named to the 2023 WFSCA Division 1 First Team All-State. Hinrichs is also a two-time team captain for the Gosling and a two-time first team all conference selection in the Badger-Large Conference.
Hinrichs and the Gosling won the 2023 Badger-Large Conference and won a regional championship in 2022 and 2023. She is also a four-year letterwinner in basketball and has been named to the Badger-Large First Team All-Conference in consecutive seasons. Hinrichs has played both first base and catcher during her career.
"Drew is a very polished middle of the lineup hitter from the right side of the plate," Jacobs said. "Everything she does with the bat is consistent and efficient. Defensively she can handle a pitching staff, she has a plus arm and throws out a ton of baserunners. She also plays first base equally well, her size and quickness are unique."
Katy Olive - Minneapolis, Minnesota (Edina HS/North Iowa Area CC)
Olive is the lone junior college recruit in the Panthers' 2024 class, and the Minneapolis native will join the Panthers after finishing up her second season at North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC).
Olive has prolific speed, and recorded an impressive 63 steals last season at NIACC. Her 63 steals earned her the New Balance/National Fastpitch Coaches Association NJCAA Division II Golden Shoe Award in her first season of collegiate softball. Last season, she recorded a .369 batting average and .480 on-base percentage while totaling 62 hits, 73 runs scored and 14 home runs. More impressively, Olive was caught stealing just one time in 64 total attempts. She was also named to the 2023 Iowa Community College Athletic Conference Second Team All-Region as an infielder.
"Katy will bring even more speed and power to our program," Jacobs said. "When you steal 63 bases in one season you are not only very fast but are smart and aggressive."
Brynlee Slockett - Marengo, Iowa (Liberty HS) - UT/INF/OF
Slockett has displayed her hitting prowess during her prep career at Liberty High School in Iowa City. She has posted a batting average above .320 in each of her first three high school seasons, with her most impressive season at the plate coming in 2023. Slockett hit .395 last season and was named to the 2023 Mississippi Valley Conference All-Conference Second Team.
Additionally, Slockett was named to the 2023 IGCA 5A All-State Third Team and to the 2023 IGCA 5A East All-District Team. Slockett was a Mississippi Valley Conference Honorable Mention All-Conference selection in 2021 and 2022.
"Brynlee caught our attention as a very young player, she has continued to show growth every season," Jacobs said. "She has tremendous athletic ability and natural skills that will help her adjust very quickly at the next level and be very versatile in our program."
Ella Smithson - Johnston, IA (Johnston HS) - UT/INF
Smithson is the fourth and final in-state recruit of the Panthers' 2024 signing class. She is also a multi-sport athlete, competing in volleyball and track and field in addition to softball at Johnston High School. Smithson is a five-time letterwinner for the Dragons, beginning her varsity softball career in eighth grade. She was named to the Central Iowa Metro League (CIML) First Team All-Conference in 2021 and 2022 and was named to the CIML Second Team All-Conference in 2023. Smithson was named to the IGCA 5A West All-District Team in 2021, 2022 and 2023 and is a three-time selection to the IGCA 5A Second Team All-State.
At the high school level, Smithson has excelled in multiple facets of the game. She has posted a batting average above .460 in 2021 and 2022, a fielding percentage of 98% or better in each of her last three seasons and has 53 career stolen bases. Smithson and the Dragons qualified for the IGHSAU Volleyball State Championship in 2021 and 2023 and she has qualified for the IGHSAU Track and Field State Championship in each of the last three seasons.
Smithson will reunite with her older sister Ava Smithson when Ella joins the Panthers in 2024.
"Ella is a tough, high-energy player and swings a powerful bat," Jacobs said. "She has a great approach at the plate and will add some pop to our lineup. She has the athleticism and ability to play multiple positions on the field."
Morgan Vertz - Pulaski, Wisconsin (Pulaski HS) - RHP
Rounding out the Panthers' 2024 signing class is Vertz, the third Wisconsin native and the second pitcher in UNI's eight-person class. Vertz had an impressive season for the Pulaski High School Red Raiders in 2023, with 153 strikeouts and a 1.68 ERA in 100.1 innings pitched. She was named the Fox River Classic Conference's (FRCC) Co-Player of the Year last season and was named to the 2023 WFSCA Second Team All-State. Vertz has been a first team all-conference selection in the FRCC for three consecutive seasons.
Additionally, Vertz was named to the WFSCA First Team All-District in 2022 and 2023 and was an honorable mention selection in 2021. Vertz led the Red Raiders to regional championships in 2021 and 2023. Those high school accolades are particularly special as Vertz's mother, Billi, is Pulaski's head softball coach. Morgan also plays basketball for the Red Raiders.
"Morgan's competitiveness on the field instantly grabbed our attention," Jacobs said. "We are looking forward to how that competitiveness and skill set will complement our pitching staff."
