Contact: Greg Murphy

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cleveland State head softball coach Angie Nicholson has announced the signing of four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent. The group will join the program beginning with the 2013-14 academic year.

Joining the program will be Melanie Woodard (Elyria, Ohio), Hannah Rachor (Dundee, Mich.), Sidney Morgan (Fishers, Ind.) and Kate Thomas (Grafton, Ohio).

"I am very pleased with this class and the potential that they have," Nicholson said. "I think they work well with the freshman class from this year and will be able to learn from the current team. This is a very talented group of young ladies who understand what hard work is about and are ready to come in and make an impact. We couldn't be more excited to get them here and take them to the next level."

Woodard, the younger sister of CSU sophomore Cynthia Woodard, hit .470 with a team-high 16 doubles and 19 RBIs last season, earning first team all-county and all-conference and second team all-state honors. She was also a first team all-county and all-conference selection as a sophomore and earned second team honors as a freshman.

"Mel is a very strong girl who can hit the ball," Nicholson said. "I am very excited to see how much better she can get once she hits the college level. She has great potential and I can't wait to work with her."

Rachor has enjoyed success both at the plate and as a pitcher, earning first team all-league honors three times. She is also a two-time first team all-district selection and a was a first team all-state shortstop last season.

She hit .449 last season with 12 doubles, five triples, seven home runs and 50 RBI, while also posting a 12-3 mark as a pitcher with a school-record low 0.81 ERA. As a sophomore, she she batted .468 with 37 RBI and 35 runs score. She also had a 10-5 pitching record. 

"Sidney is a true outfielder and great hitter," Nicholson said. "She does such a great job in the outfield, covers a ton of ground and moves the ball so well. She will do a great job of coming in and pushing our outfielders. She is a very productive hitter who understands the game and how it should be played and will only get better with time."

Thomas, a three-year starter at Midview H.S., is a three-time all-conference (2012 & 2011 first team and 2010 honorable mention) honoree and three-time all-county (2012 first team, 2011 second team, 2010 honorable mention) selection. She has also been named honorable mention all-district in 2011 and 2012. She hit .372 last year for the Middies.

"Kate is a true first baseman who knows how to play the field," Nicholson said. "She is smart at the plate and has the potential to hit the ball hard. Kate will have the opportunity to make an impact at Cleveland State in a number of ways."

The Vikings open the 2013 season on Feb. 8 with a pair of games at the East Carolina Invitational. CSU plays Towson at 10:00 a.m. and host ECU at 2:30 p.m.

"Hannah can flat out play," Nicholson said. "She can pitch, play infield and hit. She is a hard-nosed player and once she adjusts to the college game and pushes her game to the next level, she is going to be a pleasure to watch. I am anxious to get her here and have her work with the rest of the team."