CONWAY, Ark. – National Signing Day was an unquestioned success for the Central Arkansas softball team, adding 12 quality student athletes to the team. Hailing from seven different states, head coach Jenny Parsons and her staff searched far and wide to bring in some of the best young talent around the country.
 
"We're excited to add each and every one of these players to our team. They bring a lot of skills that should really help us get better," Parsons said. "The things they've accomplished on their high school teams and the awards they've earned really says a lot about how talented they are."
 
Lillie Smith joins the team out of Edmond, Okla., having played her high school ball at Edmond Memorial High School. During her prep career, the infielder helped lead her team to a state title in 2022 and a runner-up finish in 2023. She also earned All-District and All-Region honors as a utility player.
 
From right up the road in Pocahontas, Ark., Libby McIntyre was ranked as the No. 2 infielder in Arkansas by SBSR. She is a three-time all-conference performer, and earned two honorable mention All-State nods during her time at Pocahontas HS.
 
Mikaela Mortimer was ranked as the 96^th best player in the 2024 class by Extra Innings Softball after a terrific prep career at Heritage High School in Oakley, Calif. A first team all-league player, Mortimer has been a three-year starter for Thriple Crown Team Japan, earning a spot on PGF's Junior All-American Watch List.
 
Kaitlyn Graham, a first baseman from White House, Tenn., signed on after earning three-straight All-District honors at Beech Senior High School. A Middle Tennessee Top-20 Player Watch List honoree, Graham was named the 25^th-ranked first baseman in the 2024 class by Ixtra Innings Softball.
 
MaKaylie Gist is another Arkansas signee, and a champion of the Natural State at that. Winning two championship games in 2021 and 2022, Gist was named the championship game MVP in 2021, earning the first of three All-State Tournament Team nods. She also earned all-conference honors in three-straight seasons, culminating in an all-state nod in 2022.
 
A two-time all-region infielder, Addie Graham joined the Bears out of Arlington, Tenn., after earning a plethora of honors at Arlington HS. A two-time selection at the district and region levels, Graham was named Miss Softball West TN by TSCA, the Daily Memphian Softball Player of the Year and the West Tennessee Softball Preps Player of the Year in 2022.
 
Madge Layfield dominated the circle in Georgetown, Dela., earning three finalist honor for Gatorade Player of the Year. As the 44^th ranked player in the 2024 class by Extra Innings Softball, Layfield was a three-time 1^st team selection by her conference and at the state level.
 
A two-sport athlete who excelled at softball and powerlifting, Carmen Uribe brings a championship pedigree to the Bears after winning a 5A Softball State and National Championship with her Lake Creek High School Team in Montgomery, Texas. The outfielder was named an NFCA High School All-American in both 2022 and 2023, adding to her trophy case that is littered with all-region and -state honors.
 
Rylee Houska, an infielder from Edmond, Okla., made a name for herself after winning her conference and district Defensive Player of the Year award. The Deer Creek High School infielder was also named an all-region and -state infielder in 2023.
 
Mya January looks to continue the run of successful players from Kansas, joining Central Arkansas out of Spring Hill. January earned back-to-back nods as a 5A First Team Infielder, coupled with a pair of All-State honors at Spring Hill HS.
 
A catcher out of Ardmore, Okla., Aeryn Shuman reached back-to-back state finals, winning the championship in 2022 before finishing as a runner up in 2023. The Lone Grove High School student also earned two all-district nods and was named to the All-Oklahoma team in 2023.
 
Lucy Crowder was named a High School MVP and Utility Player of the Year while at Hebron High School in Lewisville, Texas. The right-handed pitcher also earned Co-MVP honors after winning the 2023 Alliance Fastpitch National Championship.
 
The signing class brings in a ton of talent at a bunch of positions, but more importantly, continues to bring in a winning mentality and drive to continue that success at the collegiate level. With 12 additions coming in 2024, the future of Central Arkansas softball is indeed bright.
 
"I want to thank Kayla Lucas for spearheading this recruiting class, she's done an excellent job bringing in some really talented players," Parsons added. "The work she has done, not only keeping Arkansas kids in the state, but bringing in players from all over, we're excited to get this class on campus."