Mercer Softball Signs Seven In Early Signing Period

MACON – First-year head coach Chris Kuhlmeyer continued to build the foundation of the future of the Mercer softball program on Wednesday when he announced the addition of seven student-athletes to his 2026-27 roster on the first day of the early signing period.

Texas native Caroline Roth, Puerto Rico product Amaliz Martinez and Alabama prep standout Klara Thompson were joined by four in-state products in Kuhlmeyer's first full recruiting class. Candice Thornton (Jesup), Jesse Roland (Canton), Ronnie Wade (Dacula) and Grace Welicky (Alpharetta) will come to Macon following outstanding prep careers in the Peach State.

"I couldn't be more excited to welcome Grace, Klara, Amaliz, Caroline, Candice, Ronnie and Jesse to our Mercer Softball family," Kuhlmeyer said. "With this being our first recruiting class here at Mercer, it was very important that we recognize individuals that fit our coaching style and team first culture inside the locker room. We feel that we have knocked it out of the park with this class."

"Not only did we add depth and a high level of athleticism at every position on the field, but also a lot of power at the plate and speed on the bases. Our expectation is to be in position to compete for SoCon championships year in and year out, and I am very confident that this class will continue to help put us in position to do so."

Martinez (5-7, INF/San German, Puerto Rico) played her prep ball for coach Jimmy Mayo at Lake Minneola (Fla.) High School and was named team most valuable player and offensive player of the year following a senior campaign that watched her hit .446 with a .511 on-base percentage. She also played travel ball with the Unity Luke organization, hitting .315 with a .396 on-base percentage.

The daughter of Lizmariel Alicea and Israel Martinez has one brother, Derek. She currently maintains a 3.6 cumulative grade point average at Lake Minneola High School.

A of Creekview High School in Canton, Roland (5-6, RHP/Canton, Ga.) registered a 0.82 earned run average and struck out 139 batters in 94 innings of work as the Grizzlies tacked up a 29-5 record and their second-straight state championship. That performance followed a junior campaign that saw her rake in all-state laurels after posting a 1.51 ERA and 102 strikeouts in 88 innings of work. Roland is also a key part of the Athletics Gold 18U Tamborra squad.

The daughter of Heather and Mercer graduate Michael Roland has an older brother, Jonah. She currently maintains a 4.22 cumulative grade point average at Creekview High School.

Roth (5-4, INF/Pearland, Texas) hit .562 with a 1.686 OPS as a junior for coach Chelsea Festervand at Glenda Dawson High School in Pearland, Texas, and picked up district MVP and first team all-district accolades. She was also crowned as her team's Soaring Scholar for carrying the squad's highest GPA. Roth is a key part of the Hotshots National Galloway travel ball organization as well.

The daughter of Donna and Michael Roth has an older brother, Jackson, and a twin sister, Catherine. She shows a 5.167 cumulative grade point average at Dawson High School and is expecting to major in engineering at Mercer.

A standout on the softball diamond for coach Allyson Ritenour at Spain Park High School, Thompson (5-6, INF/Hoover, Ala.) helped pace the Jaguars to 17 wins as a junior. She also stars for the Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier Rocky travel ball squad.

The daughter of Nicole and Ryan Thompson has two older sisters, Kate and Macie, and currently maintains a 3.5 cumulative grade point average at Spain Park High School. She is anticipating majoring in business at Mercer.

A force behind the plate for coach Chase Hinson at Wayne County High School, Thornton (5-5, C/Jesup, Ga.) helped lead the Yellow Jackets to 26 victories, hitting .520 with a .549 on-base percentage amid a run to the state semifinals. She earned all-state and all-region honors, as well as Co-Offensive Player of the Year accolades, as a junior after turning in a .457 batting average and a .469 on-base percentage. Thornton also made a trip to the podium at the region meet as a discus thrower for the track & field squad.

The daughter of Gina and Christopher Thornton has an older brother, Tyson, and a younger sister, Vivian. She carries a 4.6 cumulative grade point average at Wayne County High School, and is expecting to major in healthcare at Mercer.

Wade (5-7, OF/Dacula, Ga.) hit .385 with 19 RBI and 15 stolen bases as a senior for coach Bryce Ballew at Mill Creek High School as the Hawks posted 17 victories on the diamond. She picked up all-state and all-region laurels following a junior campaign that saw her turn in a 435 batting average, while amassing 22 RBI and 10 stolen bags. Wade also plays travel ball with the Impact Gold 08 organization.

The daughter of Kelly and Jason Wade has an older sister, Cameron, and a younger brother, Jesse. She maintains a 3.7 cumulative grade point average at Mill Creek High School and is anticipating majoring in sports marketing at Mercer.

A multi-position standout for coach Nickie Rogers at Denmark High School, Welicky (5-5, C/OF/Alpharetta, Ga.) all-state and region player of the year honors to culminate a senior campaign in which she hit .589 with a 1.951 OPS, while also racking up 26 extra-base hits (11 HR), 39 RBI and 41 runs scored. She raked in all-region and all-county nods as a junior after posting a .385 batting clip with five home runs and 31 RBI. Welicky also lettered in prep lacrosse as well.

The daughter of Deborah and Andy Welicky has an older sister, Christina, and three brothers – Timothy, Matthew and Kyle. She carries a 4.1 cumulative grade point average at Denmark High School and is going to major in engineering at Mercer.

Mercer University Athletics

Mercer Softball Signs Seven In Early Signing Period

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