GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota head softball coach Jordan Stevens has announced eight student-athletes who have signed their National Letters of Intent (NLIs) to further their education and softball careers with the Fighting Hawks. The group contains talent from across the nation, stretching as far as Hawaii, Arizona, California, Montana, and Minnesota.
 
"I'm very excited to announce our Class of 2023," said Stevens. "They checked all the boxes; we've brought in top speed, power, size and athleticism. We have great belief that they will all be very talented and will fit in well with our team and university's culture. I have no doubt they will help our program trend upwards towards the goal of a Summit League Championship and I am grateful that they have decided to become part of UND."
 
Alexys Campos – Buena Park, Calif. – OF
A three-sport star at Cypress High School, Campos will come to North Dakota looking to add speed and athleticism to the outfield. She earned Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2016 on the diamond, Defensive Player of the Year in 2018 on the court, and Hurdler of the Year in 2018 on the track. Campos was also named to the 2018 Empire League All-Academic Team for her work in the classroom and is planning to pursue sports medicine while at UND.
 
Cassie Castenada – Tucson, Ariz. – C/INF
The first of three signees from the desert, Castenada currently shines behind the plate and in the infield for Sabino High School in Tucson, Ariz. She was recently named to the 2018 All-Southern Arizona Second Team after earning first team honors in 2017. Castenada also served as the team captain this past season. Known for having a knack for the big moment, she entered her freshman season by hitting a walk-off grand slam against Ciegega High School. Castenada hopes to study physical therapy at UND.
 
Lauren Feld – Moreno Valley, Calif. – P
Another commit from the sunshine in California, Feld has shined herself in the pitcher's circle at Valley View High. The right-handed twirler was named to the All-Inland Valley League Team during her sophomore season and has also been named as a scholar athlete during her freshman, sophomore, and junior campaigns. Feld chose UND because she wants to help guide the Fighting Hawks to a Summit League Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance.
 
Kaitlyn Kalani – Aiea, Hawaii – INF
While the transition from Hawaii to North Dakota may be difficult, Kalani hopes that her talent on the field will easily transition to the collegiate level. She has spent most of her high school career manning the middle of the infield for Saint Francis School in Honolulu, garnering Most Outstanding Player awards in 2015-16 and 2016-17. She helped her squad capture the 2018 D2 ILH States Tournament title and hopes to study commercial aviation at UND.
 
Kaia Langaker – Queen Creek, Ariz. – 1B/OF
The second pledge from the desert, Langaker will bring a strong resume to Grand Forks. Last season, she was named to the 5A San Tan All-Region Second Team after earning a first team selection in 2017. Langaker was also chosen for the Colorado Sparkler All-Star Game in 2017 and 2018, as well as, the Colorado IDT All-Star Game in 2016. She was selected to the USA Elite Select All-American Game in 2016 after a stellar season. Langaker hopes to earn a degree in marketing while at UND.
 
Madi Moore – Great Falls, Mont. – OF/P
One of the top players on one of the most elite programs in Montana, Moore commits to UND with the ability to play multiple positions. In 2016, she was named as an AA Eastern Conference First Teamer, All-State, Montana SuperState, and the team's most improved as an outfielder in the first of back-to-back state titles. In 2017, she once again earned All-State and All-Conference selections as a utility player after hitting .427 with eight homeruns and 24 RBIs. Moore also shined in the classroom with an Academic All-State selection in 2017-18. Her favorite thing at North Dakota is how the current student-athletes have bought into the program.
 
Madison Pederson – Coon Rapids, Minn. – C/1B
The only signee from the state of Minnesota, Pederson hopes to use her 6-foot frame to become a presence behind the plate for the Fighting Hawks. Last season, she helped Blaine High School to a 16-7-1 record and an appearance in the Section 7AAAA Finals, hitting a homerun in the semifinal victory over Coon Rapids. She also helped guide her club team to qualify for PGF Premier Nationals, a premier nationwide softball tournament. Pederson plans to major in business while also minoring in sports management at North Dakota.
 
Sydny Taylor – New River, Ariz. – INF
The final signee of the early period for UND is also the third from the desert, as Taylor looks to bring her utility abilities to Grand Forks. She was named to the Division 6A All-Conference Second Team as a sophomore where she led the team in homeruns and slugging percentage. Taylor then claimed the Utility Award as a junior after playing nearly every position on the field during that season. Last year, she led her squad in homeruns, RBIs, extra-base hits, slugging, and ranked inside the top-3 for average. Taylor has enjoyed watching the success of UND grow and wants to be part of that growth.