Seven Pearl River softball players sign with four-year programs

Story from PRCC Athletics 
POPLARVILLE, Miss. (VDN) — The No. 5 Pearl River softball program celebrated signing day Wednesday night as seven Wildcats announced their commitments to four-year programs.

Members of the outgoing class include Campbell signee Natalee Eaves (Louisville; Choctaw Central), Spring Hill signee Anastasia Acree (Mobile, Ala.; Alma Bryant), Delta State signee Maeli Ben(Conehatta; Newton County), William Carey signee Ann Elise Duncan (McComb; Brookhaven Academy), McNeese State signee Ana-Grace Garcia (Baton Rouge, La.; St. Joseph’s), Southeastern Louisiana signee Kai Goodman (New Orleans, La.; John Curtis) and Delta State signee Emmaleigh Theriot (Prairieville, La.; St. Amant).

“This group of signees is special, and it’s definitely a hard group to let go. The records they’ve broken, the standard they’ve set, and the memories made with them will forever be etched in my heart,” head coach Christie Meeks said. “Seven years ago, I prayed for a group like this, and watching it unfold has been surreal. They’ve taught me far more than I could ever teach them. They will always be Wildcats, and their legacy here is forever secure.”

ANASTASIA ACREE
Acree transferred into Pearl River and immediately solidified herself at shortstop. In 43 games, she is hitting .364 with a .432 on-base percentage and a .559 slugging percentage. She has recorded 22 RBIs, scored 18 runs, and totaled nine doubles, one triple and four home runs.

MAELI BEN
Ben has been a consistent presence in the lineup across her two seasons. As a sophomore, the first baseman is hitting .391 with a .470 on-base percentage and a .545 slugging percentage, totaling 29 RBIs, 17 runs, 11 doubles and two home runs. She has also drawn 13 walks against 12 strikeouts and added nine stolen bases. In her career, Ben is a .357 hitter with 91 hits, 17 doubles and 48 RBIs.

ANN ELISE DUNCAN
Duncan spent one season at Pearl River and served as a primary option in the circle. She is 12-3 in 21 appearances with a 2.20 ERA across 95 2/3 innings pitched. Duncan has struck out 117 batters while posting a 1.21 WHIP.

NATALEE EAVES
Eaves is headed to Campbell following a strong sophomore season offensively. In 2026, she is hitting .443 with 55 RBIs, 47 runs scored and 21 extra-base hits, including 11 doubles. She has also added 19 stolen bases and carries a .487 on-base percentage. In her career, Eaves is a .417 hitter with 125 hits, 94 RBIs, 23 doubles, seven triples and 11 home runs across 97 games. She has struck out just 19 times in 300 at-bats.

ANA-GRACE GARCIA
Garcia has been one of the top pitchers in the country over her two seasons at Pearl River. As a sophomore, she is 17-1 with a 2.37 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP across 124 innings pitched, striking out 133 batters and recording 12 complete games. In her Wildcat career, Garcia owns a 2.63 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP over 266 2/3 innings with 306 strikeouts, averaging 8.03 strikeouts per seven innings.

KAI GOODMAN
Goodman has been a key contributor throughout her career and holds the program’s career stolen bases record. This season, she is hitting .378 with a .524 on-base percentage, totaling 48 hits, 29 walks, five doubles, four triples, two home runs and 32 stolen bases in 46 games. For her career, Goodman is a .391 hitter with 83 stolen bases, 50 walks, 13 doubles, six triples and four home runs.

EMMALEIGH THERIOT
Theriot has hit .310 this season with a .430 on-base percentage, drawing 14 walks against six strikeouts while adding nine stolen bases, two doubles and two triples. In her career, she is hitting .293 with a .404 on-base percentage and has converted 50 of 52 stolen base attempts.