James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
Softball Inks Six Future Dukes on Signing Day
11/12/2025 12:00:00 PM | Softball
HARRISONBURG, Va. – The James Madison softball program has added six standout student-athletes to its 2026 signing class, Head Coach Loren LaPorte announced Wednesday.
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The group features elite talent from Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Florida, including state champions, all-state selections, nationally ranked prospects, and multi-sport athletes. The six incoming Dukes include Braelyn Bailey, Hannah Chipego, Kathryn "Kate Mitchell" Compton, Emerson Grace "E.G." Hatcher, Bree Paetow, and Julia Varhola.Â
The group will enroll next fall and join the team for the 2027 season.Â
"Our staff is very excited to announce the 2026 signing class!" LaPorte said. "This group will bring outstanding athleticism, versatility, and skill that will make an immediate impact on our program.  We're eager to bring their competitive spirit and championship mindset to Harrisonburg next fall!"
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Braelyn Bailey • UTL/RHP • Chesapeake, Va. • Grassfield High School
- Elite two-way talent for Grassfield High School
- VHSL 6A Player of the Year as a sophomore
- Sophomore season: .517 AVG, 11 HR, 1.653 OPS; 1.575 ERA, 108 K
- Junior season: 121 strikeouts, 1.86 ERA, 4 HR
- Earned First Team All-Region & Second Team All-State as a freshman
- Hit a walk-off grand slam to win the VHSL 6A District Championship
- Named Chesapeake Sports Club Most Outstanding Softball Athlete
- Honor Roll student; plans to major in Justice Studies
Hannah Chipego • RHP/OF • Noxen, Pa. • Lake-Lehman High School
- One of Pennsylvania's most accomplished softball players
- Three-time PIAA All-State selection; multiple Wyoming Valley Conference titles
- 2025 Citizens Voice Softball MVP
- Junior-year honors include: PIAA All-State, Times Leader All-Conference, Big Time , Softball Pitcher of the Week, Scranton Times Tribune WEGL Athlete of the Week, MaxPreps Athlete of the Week, Sports Illustrated National High School Player of the Week
- Multi-sport standout in soccer; led team to 2024 conference and district championships
- National Honor Society; plans to major in Education with a Special Ed minor
Kathryn "Kate Mitchell" Compton • OF • Tampa, Fla. • H.B. Plant HighÂ
- Versatile multi-sport athlete with strong offensive production
- 5'9" outfielder; three-time volleyball state finalist and former state champion
- Junior season: .431 AVG, .523 OBP, 37 runs, 7 HR, 1.000 fielding percentage
- Earned First Team Western Conference, MVP, and Offensive Player of the Year
- Helped Plant reach the 7A State Runner-Up finish as a freshman; named Rookie of the Year
- High-achieving student; member of multiple honor societies
- Plans to major in Business
Emerson Grace "E.G." Hatcher • Catcher / Outfielder • Chesapeake, Va. • Grassfield High School
- Premier multi-sport athlete in softball, field hockey, and track & field
- 5'9" catcher with All-Region honors in her first three seasons
- Junior year stats: .529 AVG, .941 SLG, 0 strikeouts, 11 stolen bases
- 2024 Indoor Track & Field State Champion
- Helped Grassfield to an undefeated 6A Regional Championship in sophomore year
- Nationally ranked as high as No. 18 by LineDrive Media; multi-time Extra Innings Elite Top 100
- Played for Athletics Gold (Stacy Tamborra); contributed to multiple national top-10 finishes
- Hit .522 at PGF Nationals; .832 with runners in scoring position
- 4.5 GPA, National Honor Society; plans to major in Health Sciences
Bree Paetow • OF/MIF • Fayetteville, Pa. • Chambersburg Area Senior High SChool
- Dynamic three-sport athlete in softball, soccer, and basketball
- Junior season: .577 AVG, 53 hits, 30 SB, 46 runs, 1.568 OPS
- Led Mid-Penn Conference in multiple offensive categories
- First Team All-Conference, Conference Fielder of the Year, PennLive All-Star
- Surpassed 100 career hits - on pace to be Chambersburg's first with 100+ hits, 100+ RBI, 100+ steals
- 6A All-State and Franklin County Female Athlete of the Year as a freshman
- National Honor Society; plans to major in Early Education
Julia Varhola • RHP / UTL • Greensburg, Pa. • Hempfield Area High
- Four-year letterwinner; helped Hempfield win multiple WPIAL 6A Championships
- Part of PIAA State Runner-Up team as a freshman
- Breakout junior season: Big 56 First Team All-Section; SI National Girls Athlete of the Week
- Threw a perfect game during the 2024–25 season
- National Honor Society and French National Honor Society Historian
- Plans to major in Kinesiology and pursue physical therapy
- Grew up a fan of Odicci Alexander and Jailyn Ford; owns signed memorabilia from both
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