WILMINGTON, N.C. - UNC Wilmington softball Head Coach Kelly Van Houten has announced the signing of five student-athletes to National Letters-of-Intent.

High school seniors Candice Faircloth (Dunn, N.C./Triton), Maggie McKenzie (Rockingham, N.C./Richmond Senior), Tori Sewell (Rocky Point, N.C./E.A. Laney), Kimberly Stewart (Raleigh, N.C./Garner Magnet) and Nicole Tuttle (Lexington, N.C./North Davidson) will join the Seahawks as freshmen for the 2011 season.

"We have assembled an outstanding 2010 recruiting class that we are counting down the days until they begin classes at UNC Wilmington and start practice with us," said Van Houten, who is in her second season with the program. "They are a talented class who will bring knowledge of the game and excitement to our program along with strong academics."

Biographical information for all five players, as well as comments about each signee from Coach Van Houten, can be found below.

Candice Faircloth (3B)
Has guided Triton to back-to-back Cape Fear Valley conference championships and Cape Fear Valley tournament championship during junior season ... Posted 0.52 earned run average and .431 batting average with 20 RBI during junior season ... Three-time All-State, All-Conference and Cape Fear First-Team All-Region selection ... Two-time Cape Fear Valley Player-of-the-Year and District 4 Pitcher-of-the-Year ... Holds school record for strikeouts (333) and shutouts (19) in a season ... Also established program record for strikeouts in a game (21) ... Took part in the 2009 High School State Games ... Plays club softball for the Cape Fear Storm.

Van Houten on Faircloth: "Candice will bring depth to our corner positions on defense and provide a strong bat at the plate.  She will also bring experience to the circle with her pitching experience.  Candice works hard at her game and it shows in her play on the field. We know she will represent the Seahawk family well." 

Maggie McKenzie (1B)
Led Richmond Senior to 2009 MSEC Conference Championship ... Named MSEC Pitcher-of-the-Year after fashioning a 0.68 ERA and 15-5 record in 20 appearances ... Also earned All-State, All-Conference and All-District honors as she recorded 165 strikeouts and just 14 walks in 123 innings pitched ... Posted .455 batting average and 16 RBI at the plate ... Named MSEC Co-Player-of-the-Year as a sophomore and garnered All-State, All-Conference and All-District honors after recording 0.55 ERA and 123 strikeouts in 77 innings pitched ... Posted .521 batting average and 18 RBI during sophomore season ... Has played club softball for Carolina Rockers, Carolina Angels and the Randolph Knockouts.

Van Houten on McKenzie: "Maggie is a left-handed hitter who has amazing talent at the plate and will add power to our lineup.  Maggie plays a tough first base and will potentially add to our pitching staff with a new look as a left-handed pitcher. We are excited to know that she will be wearing a UNCW jersey and we will not have to face her on the other side of the field."

Tori Sewell (OF)
Local product of E.A. Laney that has led Buccaneers to three straight NCHSAA Class 4A state playoff appearances ... Guided squad to 2008 Mideastern Conference championship ... Three-time Star-News All-Area selection ... Two-time All-District selection and All-State pick as a junior ... Posted .348 batting average and 41 RBI in her career at Laney ... Has perfect 1.000 fielding percentage during her career ... Plays club softball with the North Carolina Challengers ... Brother Tanner played football and wrestled at the Virginia Military Institute ... Her parents, Vicki and Alan, are both graduates of UNCW.

Van Houten on Sewell: "We are excited to have a local player join our program next year. Tori has proven to have the work ethic and love for the game to play at the next level.  She will add another left-handed hitter in our lineup and solid outfield play on defense. She works hard on the field and in the classroom to always be at her best. We are looking forward to her becoming a Seahawk and know her parents will be proud she is following in their footsteps." 

Kimberly Stewart (C/UTL)
Helped Garner Magnet capture Greater Neuse Conference championship as a junior ... Had posted a batting average of .425 or higher in all three seasons at the varsity level ... Earned All-State, All-Conference, All-District and Academic All-Conference accolades following junior season ... Plays club softball for the North Carolina Challengers ... Posted .511 batting average during 2009 club season.

Van Houten on Stewart: "Kimmie is as strong defensively behind the plate as she is hitting at the plate. We look forward to seeing her provide RBIs on offense and leadership on defense. She is a strong player in all aspects of the game and we are glad she will be joining the Seahawk family."

Nicole Tuttle (UTL)
Has led North Davidson to three straight NCHSAA Class 4A state runner-up finishes ... All-American Scholar-Athlete ... Posted .600 on-base percentage in 2009 Rising Stars Tournaments ... Plays club softball for U18 Team TFS ... Helped lead Carolina Cardinals to the 2009 ASA State Championship.

Van Houten on Tuttle: "Nicole brings a new look to our lineup as a slapper who has great bat control and speed. We are looking forward to utilizing her skills in the box to keep opposing defenses off-balance.  She is a hardworking athlete that will push her future Seahawk teammates to be better and stronger. We are excited to have her determination and passion for the game become part of our program."