THE FLATS – Coach Aileen Morales and Georgia Tech Softball have officially signed eight new members of a highly touted recruiting class on National Signing Day. The class, consisting of eight signees: four pitchers, two outfielders, a catcher and an infielder, has been ranked as the No. 7 class in the nation according to Extra Innings Softball, the highest ranking of any ACC program, with six of the individuals ranked in the Extra Elite 100.
“We’re really excited to welcome these eight young women into the program,” head coach Aileen Morales said. “This is one of the strongest classes we’ve signed and the accolades they’re receiving just goes to show how hard they’ve all worked to get to this point. Myself and the rest of our staff is looking forward to getting everyone on campus and continuing to build on our championship standards.”
Camden Anders | LHP | Valdosta, Ga. | Lowndes HS
Camden Anders comes to The Flats following a stellar high school career, going to Lowndes HS for her junior and senior seasons, where she lettered twice, both as a pitcher and center fielder. She led her high school team to the 2023 Region 7A championship this season, reaching as far as the State quarterfinals. A multiple time All-State athlete, Anders enters Georgia Tech as the No. 81 ranked athlete in her class, according to Extra Innings softball. She holds the Lowndes high school program record for single season strikeouts with 231 this past season, breaking a record set by All-American Rylin Hedgecock of Arkansas. She has thrown four no-hitters in her high school career all while maintaining honors status in the classroom. She will be the second member of her family to join an ACC program, her older brother Cade is a Tight End at Duke.
Kaya Booker | OF | Alpharetta, Ga. | Chattahoochee HS
Kaya Booker will join the White & Gold after a record-setting high school career with Chattahoochee HS. The No. 33-ranked freshman in her class according the Extra Innings softball, No. 24-ranked outfielder, holds Chattahoochee HS records for stolen bases in a single season (36), hits in a season (54) RBI in a season (38) and batting average (.565), all while maintaining her status on the honor roll. A two-sport athlete, Booker was named 2022 and 2023 All-Region Offensive Player of the Year on the diamond while also earning a pair of All-State selections in both softball (2023) and Track & Field (2022-23), being named All-Metro in the 4×400. Booker intends on study Biology on The Flats
Madison Furniss | RHP/1B | Southington, Conn. | Southing HS
Maddie Furniss joins Georgia Tech following three championship winning seasons of high school ball. She led her high school team to three Central Connecticut Conference championships while also claiming the LL State Class championship in 2021 and 2022 as both a pitcher and a first basemen. She was named 1st Team All-State in 2023 while also earing offensive MVP honors on her team. Her team became the first from the state of Connecticut to qualify for the Premier Girls Fastpitch National Championships, where they finished Top 10 out of 90+ teams. Furniss is a member of the National Honor Society and plans to major in Biochemistry at Georgia Tech.
Tymber Harris | RHP | Vidalia, Ga. | Vidalia HS
Tymber Harris joins the Georgia Tech softball family as a three-time regional champion pitcher with Vidalia HS. The No. 26-ranked player in the class according to Extra Innings Softball, pitched her way to 1st Team all-region honors in all our years of high school, setting the Vidalia HS record for career strikeouts at 690 and the record for strikeouts in a single season (344). Harris is a member of the National Honors society and plans on studying education when she isn’t striking out opposing hitters in the circle.
Lillian Martineau | INF | Harwinton, Conn. | Lewis Mills HS
Lilian Martineau comes to The Flats following an illustrious career in softball, baseball and basketball at her high school, Lewis Mills, in Connecticut. She played three seasons of baseball in high school, making the switch to softball this past season. Earning a varsity letter, playing at SS and outfield. Martineau earned a spot on the CCC All-Academic team in all four of her high school seasons. She is fluent in French and plans on studying Literature Media & Communications at Georgia Tech.
Caroline Patterson | C/OF | Macon, Ga. | Tattnall Square Academy
Caroline Patterson joins the team as one of the highest ranked players in the nation, coming in at a tie for No. 13 in the Extra Elite 100 rankings (along with fellow Jacket, Carter Wachtel). She was a two-time team captain with her high school, Tattnall Square Academy, where she was named Regional player of the year in both 2022 and 2023, earning Georgia Player of the Year honors in 2022. On the club scene, she was named tournament MVP as her team, Mojo 2023-Lunsford, won the 16U Alliance Nationals title in 2022. She stole headlines at the 2023 GIAA All State games, going 4-5 with three homeruns and eight RBI and hold her high school’s records in: runs scored, single season RBI, single season extra base hits, career homeruns and single season homeruns. A four-year honor roll student, Patterson plans on majoring in Business at Georgia Tech.
Carter Wachtel | RHP | Wooster, Ohio | Triway HS
Carter Wachtel joins the Georgia Tech softball family as the highest ranked pitcher in the signing class, coming in at a tie for No. 13 in the Extra Elite 100 rankings (along with fellow Jacket, Caroline Patterson). A three-time conference champion and 2022 State Champion (Ohio), Wachtel was dominant in the circle throughout her high school and club careers. She was named SB-Live Ohio Pitcher of the Year after her sophomore season in 2022. Headed into her senior season at Triway HS this spring, Wachtel has tallied 443 innings pitched with 773 strikeouts and a 1.04 ERA all while maintaining a 4.00 GPA. Her club team, Georgia Impact, won the 2022 PGF National Championship with Wachtel providing critical innings throughout the run.
Alyssa Willer | OF/UTL | Bethlehem Ga. | Apalachee HS
Alyssa Willer joined the White and Gold as the No. 59-ranked player in her class according to Extra Inning Softball. She is a 1st Team All-Georgia honoree for her efforts at Apalachee HS, earning 6A Georgia Dugout Club player of the year and regional defensive player of the year in the process. She was a versatile and impactful player on her school’s run to the state championship game in 2022, becoming the first softball team in Apalachee HS history to reach the final game. She is a three-sport athlete, also competing in basketball and track & field at the high school level, where she was named honorable mention all-region in basketball her junior year. Willer plans on majoring in business administration at Georgia Tech with hopes of eventually running her own business.
Competitive Drive Initiative Turn 2
Looking to build on the success of last year’s Competitive Drive Initiative, Georgia Tech, the Georgia Tech Foundation and Georgia Tech athletics are partnering once again to launch Competitive Drive Initiative Turn 2. CDI Turn 2 has a goal of raising $2.5 million in new gifts to the Alexander-Tharpe Fund’s Athletic Scholarship Fund by Dec. 31, and Georgia Tech and the Georgia Tech Foundation will match eligible gifts to accelerate the impact for Tech athletics. Like last year, not only will gifts to CDI Turn 2 be matched, but so will the contributor’s benefits in the way of A-T Fund giving levels and priority points. To learn more and contribute online, visit atfund.org/turn2.
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