Bronx, N.Y. – Fordham softball head coach
Melissa Inouye has announced the program's five-player Class of 2026, comprised of
Holly Beeman,
Eva Koratsis,
Kate McGuire,
Neleh Nogay, and
Nicki Sudall. The group arrives in the Bronx for the 2022-23 year.
"We would like to welcome our incoming class of 2026 recruits to our RAMily as we continue to find talented student-athletes locally, regionally, and nationally." Inouye said, "As a group they have been challenged by playing in some of the best travel ball tournaments and will provide quality depth to our team and will help us continue to succeed in the future. We're excited to have Holly, Eva, Kate, Neleh, and Nicole on campus in the next few weeks to start working with them and see them compete and succeed on and off the field."
Beeman, a 5'10 right-handed pitcher from Lake Oswego, Ore., earned four varsity letters at Lakeridge under head coach Katie Boos. She was named Team MVP and All-League honorable mention as a freshman with the Pacers before COVID-19 cancelled the 2020 season. She returned for her junior year with a 1.25 ERA and 145 strikeouts in 95 innings to once again claim Team MVP honors and also First Team All-League and Second Team All-State. Last year, she earned First Team All-League again after a 1.17 ERA and 212 strikeouts while tossing a perfect game in the state playoffs, ultimately finishing as All-State honorable mention. She played her club ball with the NW Bullets, who were PGF Shootout 18U champions. Off the field, she was in the National Honor Society for two years, a language arts merit award winner, and a student of the quarter award recipient in three classes.
Coach Inouye on Beeman – "Holly has a lot of upside to her as a pitcher with her smooth mechanics and strong pitching frame. She is a solid addition to our pitching staff. She has a good presence about her, velocity, and a nice variety of pitches."
Beeman on Fordham – "I chose Fordham because of its access to the city, educational opportunities, and how welcoming the team was when I visited!"
Koratsis, a 5'8 left-handed infielder from Beaver Dams, N.Y., played at Horseheads under head coach Rick Gryska. A two-time Team MVP the past two years, she finished her junior year as Fifth Team All-State. Last year as a team captain, she stepped up and garnered Third Team All-State accolades as well as All-Conference, First Team Southern Tier Sports All-Star, and Elite Spring All-Star. She also played basketball and was given the Coaches Award and Southern Tier Sports Report Unsung Hero award. She played her club ball with the Conklin Raiders, a Power Pool top-45 18U team nationally. Off the field, she was a Varsity H member and a Scholastic Art and Writing Regional At-Large Gold Key winner.
Coach Inouye on Koratsis – "Eva is an aggressive and versatile hitter who can hit for solid contact but also has home run power. She plays the game hard and has a good energy about her."
Koratsis on Fordham – "I chose Fordham because right away it felt like I belonged here. The people and the environment just felt like home. It felt like the perfect place to continue my softball journey!"
McGuire, a 5'3 right-handed infielder from Blue Point, N.Y., earned four varsity letters at Bayport under head coach Nicholle Marchetta. As a junior, she was named First Team All-State, All-County, Field Player of the Year, and the Melissa Marchese Memorial Small School Field Player of the Year recipient, then duplicated all of those except the latter. Prior to the cancelled 2020 season, she was an All-League honoree as a freshman. She also played basketball and was a team captain and a two-time All-League honoree. She played her club ball with Team Long Island DeMarini, winners of the 2020 Newtown Rock tournament. Off the field, she graduated Magna Cum Laude, with a mastery in mathematics, a seal of biliteracy, and was a four-year high honor roll member.
Coach Inouye on McGuire – "Kate is an athletic, versatile, and competitive infielder that can play multiple positions and hits for contact and power. She is gritty, a hustler, and plays the game with an infectious attitude and energy."
McGuire on Fordham – "As soon as I stepped on campus, I knew it was going to be my home away from home. I am extremely excited to play on a softball team with a winning culture and continue my academic journey with a second family."
Nogay, a 5'6 left-handed hitting outfielder from New Castle, Pa., earned four varsity letters at Neshannock under head coach Jackie Lash. The 2022 Lawrence County Athlete of the Year, she has been a First Team All-State selection, an All-Conference honoree, a Section champion, a WPIAL champion, and helped lead the Lancers to a perfect 26-0 record en route to the PIAA state championship last year. She was also a highly decorated basketball player in high school, as well, earning a myriad of awards including First Team All-State and Super 7 2A Player of the Year. She served as a team captain for both squads. Nogay also ran track and holds the school's 100m and 200m dash records. She played her club ball with Ohio Outlaws. Off the field, she was her class' valedictorian, a peer leader, and the secretary for the National Honor Society.
Coach Inouye on Nogay – "Nelah is an incredible athlete that excelled in softball, basketball, and track, and can make a lot of things happen with her speed. She has good range in the outfield and is a triple threat hitter who is fun to watch compete."
Nogay on Fordham – "I chose Fordham because of the great education I'll receive, the beautiful campus and softball field, and the amazing people and coaching staff!"
Sudall, a 5'3 right-handed catcher from Downingtown, Pa., played for four years at Downingtown East. Each of the last two years she was named First Team All-Area and All-League, then, while serving as team captain last year, was named First Team All-State after leading the league in home runs and finishing eighth across all of Pennsylvania. She played her club ball with PA Strikers. Off the field, she was a member of the National Honor Society and French Honor Society, achieved an IB diploma, was a founder and president of the Chemistry Club, was a member of the Student-Athlete Leadership council, and a member of the distinguished honor roll.
Coach Inouye on Sudall – "Nicki is a blue collar player with a good softball IQ who will add good depth for us behind the plate. She is an aggressive hitter that has good at-bats and hits the ball hard."
Sudall on Fordham – "From the minute I stepped on campus, I felt valued as a student, an athlete, and a person."
