Softball Welcomes Five Signees

Nov. 13, 2014

University of Louisville head softball coach Sandy Pearsall has announced that five prospective student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Cardinals. Shelby McCombs will join the Cardinals in January, 2015 while Lillie Goetz, Megan Hensley, Jordan Lane and Jordan Vorbrink, will begin their softball careers in the fall of 2015.

"All of these players have had the University of Louisville on their radar for a long time, and we are happy to welcome them to our program," said Pearsall. "As a class, they bring a variety of skills in terms of the ability to swing the bat as well as play multiple positions. We are very much looking forward to them joining the team and we know they will help our program continue to improve and reach new levels."

Lillie Goetz

Position: 2B/LF
Bats/Throws: L/R
Hometown/HS: Owensboro, Ky./Owensboro Catholic
Travel Team:Louisville Lady Sluggers

Lillie Goetz joins the Cardinals from Owensboro, Ky., where she plays for Owensboro Catholic and the Louisville Lady Sluggers. While playing for Owensboro Catholic, she earned five varsity letters while helping her team to four regional and district championships and a 2013 state runner-up showing. The 2014 Kentucky Softball Coaches Association (KSCA) Class `A' Player of the Year earned KSCA Class `A' first team all-state honors and all-district 9 honors from 2012-14. In 2013, she was named to the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) all-state tournament team and was the 3rd Region Most Valuable Player. Goetz is also a two-time all-region tournament selection (2012 and 2013).

She also brings an impressive academic resume as a three-time KHSAA Academic All-State selection. Goetz earned National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-America Scholar Athlete and KSCA Academic All-State honors in 2014. She has been a member of the National Honor Society and is currently serving as the historian.

Goetz also lettered in swimming and competed in the 2013 state meet.

Before signing with Louisville, she also considered Murray State, Belmont and UT Martin.

Sandy Pearsall on Lillie Goetz
"Lillie is a true utility player - she can go in our infield or in our outfield. She is hard worker who always gives 100 percent on the field. She hustles all the time and we will benefit from her versatility."

Lillie Goetz on U of L:
"After my first visit to UofL, I was certain this was where I wanted to go. It just felt like home. The atmosphere here is remarkable and I love how all of the athletes are close to and support one another. I know that UofL will offer me opportunities, both academically and athletically, that I wouldn't be able to experience anywhere else. The coaches, players, and the facilities associated with Louisville Softball are all remarkable. There's just something special with the University of Louisville. I can't wait to join the Cardinal family!"

Megan Hensley

Position:RHP/OF
Bats/Throws:R/R
Hometown/HS:Ashland, Ky./Ashland Blazer High School
Travel Team:Louisville Lady Sluggers

Megan Hensley joins the Cardinals from Ashland, Ky., where she played for Ashland Blazer High School and the Louisville Lady Sluggers.

The 2014 Kentucky Gatorade Softball Player of the Year was also a Maxpreps All-American, Class 2A all-state first team selection and named to the Worth/KHSAA Softball State Tournament team. Also during her junior season, she was the 2014 Region Tournament Co-MVP, All- Area Pitcher of the Year and earned Maxpreps/NFCA National High School Player of the Week honors. In 2013, she was a Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year Nominee and a Maxpreps Underclass All-American and a Class 2A all-state second team selection as well as the All-Area Pitcher of the Year and the Region Tournament Co-MVP. Hensley earned all-region honors in 2011 and 2012.

In addition to her softball accomplishments, Hensley is a member of the National Honors Society, the Spanish National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. She was also a 2014 KSCA first team All-Academic selection.

She also lettered in volleyball.

Prior to signing with Louisville, Hensley also considered Dayton and North Carolina State.

Sandy Pearsall on Megan Hensley:
"Megan is a very strong hitter who will also help us on the mound. She has played extremely well over the last few years and we look forward to having her here."

Megan Hensley on U of L:
"Louisville was always on the top of my list of schools I wanted to attend. On my visit, I fell in love with the school and was very impressed with the facilities and the exceptional treatment they give their athletes. I feel at home with the coaching staff and the softball program and really like what Louisville has to offer me both athletically and academically. I just know UofL is the right place for me!"

Jordan Lane

Position:INF
Bats/Throws:R/R
Hometown/HS/Last School: Dade City, Fla./Pasco High School/College of Central Florida
Travel Team:Louisville Lady Sluggers

Jordan Lane joins the Cardinals from the College of Central Florida where she helped her team to a runner-up finish in the 2014 NJCAA championship. She posted a .374 batting average with six home runs, 41 RBIs and scored 37 runs in her freshman season. Lane earned Mid-Florida first team All-Conference honors and was named to FCSAA First Team All-State team in 2014.

Lane graduated from Pasco High School in Pasco, Fl. where she posted a .402 career batting average with 116 hits, 108 RBI, 100 runs scored and 12 home runs. Throughout her four years in high school, Lane was a three-time Bright House Softball All-Area first team selection, a two-time Tampa Tribune All-Pasco County first team selection, and received honors on the 5A All-State team.

She also lettered and earned all-conference honors in golf and basketball in high school.

Prior to signing with Louisville, Lane also considered Akron University.

Pearsall on Jordan Lane:
"Jordan is a very strong shortstop with a good arm and also brings good offense. She is a student of the game and will definitely have a big impact on our team."

Jordan Lane on U of L:
"I chose UofL because I really valued the qualities that the softball program instilled in their players. On my visit, I was able to sit in on the softball team's morning workout and the way the team bonded and pushed each other made me feel like they were more than just teammates, but they were family. This meant so much to me because if I did choose to go to this school, it would be so far from home and I would need that support. Not only did I love that aspect of UofL, but also I felt that I was going to be pushed to my best potential every day on and off the field and that was highly important to me. It is a bittersweet feeling to leave the junior college I am currently at, but I'm extremely blessed to get the opportunity to call UofL my new home."

Shelby McCombs

Position:Pitcher
Bats/Throws:R/R
Hometown/HS: Newark, Ohio/Licking Valley
Travel Team: Louisville Lady Sluggers

Shelby McCombs joins the Cardinals from Newark, Ohio, where she played for Licking Valley High School and the Louisville Lady Sluggers travel team. As a junior, she was named the 2014 Newark Advocate Pitcher of the Year and the Licking County League Player of the Year. She was also the All-Metro Pitcher of the Year as well as the Division II State Pitcher of the Year. Additionally, McCombs was a 2014 all-state, all-district and all-Licking County League selection in 2014. As a sophomore, she helped lead her team to the 2013 state championship and was the Newark Advocate Player of the Year. She is a two-time all-state honorable mention (2012 and 2013). .

While playing for the Louisville Lady Sluggers, McCombs helped her team to the 2011 national title.

Sandy Pearsall on Shelby McCombs:
"Shelby will actually be playing for us this January and we're glad to have her on board. She is a very good pitcher who also brings tremendous power with her bat and is capable of playing other positions as well. She is a strong player who will have an immediate impact

Shelby McCombs on U of L:
"I chose the University of Louisville because the moment I stepped foot on campus, I just had that feeling in my heart that this is where I belong. The school spirit and the support from the community really persuaded me because I felt as if I was already a part of the Cardinal Family. I wanted to compete at a high level with a shot at winning the Women's College World Series. I am truly blessed beyond words to have such amazing coaches and administration that will help me grow into a hard working student athlete. I am so extremely excited to extend my softball career as a Louisville Cardinal and I cannot wait to wear the name across my chest."

Jordan Vorbrink

Position:OF/1B
Bats/Throws:L/L
Hometown/HS: Shepherdsville, Ky./Mercy Academy
Travel Team: Louisville Lady Sluggers Gold

Jordan Vorbrink joins the Cardinals from Shepherdsville, Ky. where she plays for Mercy Academy and the Louisville Lady Sluggers Gold team.

During her high school career, she has helped lead her team to three region and district titles. As a freshman, she led Mercy to the 2012 Kentucky State Championship and earned tournament MVP honors along the way. She was a 2013 all-state second team selection in 2013 and was an honorable mention in 2014. The three-time all-Catholic and all-district tournament team selection also earned all-region honors in 2013 and 2014.

She also lettered in softball for North Bullitt High School when she was in the seventh and eighth grades. During that time, she was an all-regional selection and was named to the all-district tournament team in 2011.

While playing for the Louisville Lady Sluggers, Vorbrink helped her team to several Premier Girls Fastpitch, United States Fastpitch Association and Triple Crown top finishes as well as Amateur Softball Association and National Softball Association Kentucky state championships over the last nine years.

Vorbrink also brings a solid academic resume to Louisville. She is a member of the National Honor Society, earned the Principal's Award and has been named to the honor roll every year. She has over 150 volunteer service hours in the community.

Prior to signing with Louisville, Vorbrink also considered Auburn University, Kentucky, LSU, Western Kentucky, Murray State, University of Tennessee-Martin and Ball State.

Sandy Pearsall on Jordan Vorbrink:
"Jordan has been coming to our camps since she was very young and she loves the University of Louisville. She is a clutch hitter, someone you can count on to come through when you need her and is a very good outfielder who loves to play the game."

Jordan Vorbrink on U of L:
"I chose Louisville because for as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a Louisville Cardinal. My family has always been Cardinals fans. The coaching staff and athletic facilities are by far the best in the country. From the minute I stepped foot on campus for my official visit, I knew I would get the best academic and athletic opportunity for me. It truly is a dream come true. It means so much to me to play in my hometown in front of all my family and friends and represent my city. Louisville is a great fit for my future academic and athletic goals."

University of Louisville Athletics

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