Coach Nate Eaton is developing a very talented Team NC team that is traveling the country to rise through the ranks putting the Tar Heel state on the map. He shares the history of the program and what makes this 14U club one of the teams to watch in the 2018 season.

When did the team/program start and how/why did it come to be?  

Team NC was started by Mike Ward six years ago. He started the organization because he went through the recruiting process with his daughter Ashton and decided that North Carolina needed an organization that girls could come to where coaches truly understand the recruiting process and can help guide them through the recruiting process.

Where are you based?  Where do your athletes come from (all locally, some out of state)?

We are based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Players are from North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Virginia.

What was the purpose of creating the team (showcase players, win titles, develop skills, etc.)? 

Our main goals when starting the teams were helping our players find the right fit at the next level, building self-esteem, and building confidence in our girls so they can be successful when they are playing in college.

What have been some of your successes in terms of winning or placing at events?  

In 2017, we won the USA ASA NC 12U state championship, and we placed 17th in the USA Elite Select WFC (12U). We won the USA Elite Select Queen City Classic (14U) and placed fourth in the Atlanta Fastpitch Classic (14U). 

 What makes the organization unique?

Team NC is typically represented by 18 teams that compete from 10U-18U. When comparing us to other elite travel organizations that cover North Carolina and South Carolina, we have had more commits over the last six years than any of them (128 and counting). 

Team NC has had up to 20 teams at one time through the last six years and one of the unique things about it is there are no organizational fees. Each coach runs their team with the support of the board of directors and recruiting coordinator. The organization has coaches and support staff that truly love the game and are willing to help young ballplayers reach their goals.   

What’s your softball background and how did you get to the point of leading the team?

I grew up playing baseball so I have always had a love for the game. I started coaching rec softball with my assistant coach Ryan Aikia and we both coached successful teams together and against one another with talented players. One day, we just started talking about bringing the best players from our area together on one team to compete at a higher level and here we are today.

How many teams are there in the organization overall?

 18.

Has there been a key moment or defining experience in the team's history?

Following the lead of our most successful teams, Ward, Hatch, Baylog, Trull, and Martin we started taking the team to tournaments in Georgia and Florida pretty early. This has helped our girls develop fast due to playing a higher level of competition on a consistent basis.  

Our experiences at the USA Elite Select WFC and PGF Nationals certainly showed our team and coaching staff how to compete against the best. Being from the East Coast and playing against the teams from the west coast certainly gave us an appreciation for the level of competition that is all over the country. Our coaching and training philosophies have completely changed since the summer of 2017 after playing some of the best teams in the country.

What is your primary focus or goal of this team?

To develop each player on and off the field so they will have a better understanding of how to succeed in life. Obviously, I want each of them to play in college but through my experience of working at my craft as a baseball player I learned a ton of valuable life lessons that help me today get through tough situations and I hope my players are learning skills that will help them someday.

What do you think are the strengths of the team?

Without question, our greatest strength is that our team has bought into being the best teammates and they can and all understand that we have talent and they compete and push one another every day to become better. They all know that we have talent and they want to see each other do well.

If there is one thing you would say that separates you from other club programs, what would it be?

I’m sure there are a lot of club teams that are passionate about helping their players play at the collegiate level, but the coaches and staff within Team NC live to help our players reach their goals. Many spend countless hours helping our athletes without asking for anything in return.

Anything else interesting or fun that I could use to portray your team as a top organization?

Twenty-four months ago I started the team with five rec ball players and through tryouts, we have the team we have today. This was the first team ever built from the ground up within Team NC. All other teams have come to the organization as an accomplished team. We have had over 200 girls try out for our team in 24 months. It is hard to believe that today I am having recruiting conversations daily about our players, we played in two national championship tournaments, and we continue to get high-quality players wanting to be a part of our team.   

Meet Team NC

Olivia Cainey, P/1B | 2022 | uncommitted

Cainey is a southpaw that can keep hitters off balance. On the mound, she gets hitters to top the ball when she isn’t striking batters out. Cainey is battled-tested and has been given the ball in every big game for every team she has ever played for. She also hits for both power and average.

Courtney Layne, P/OF | 2022 | uncommitted

Layne is another lefty pitcher who controls the game from the first pitch with her of riseballs and her late-breaking curveball. She gets the most out of her body because of her unbelievable work ethic and dedication to compete at a high level. 

Katie Henri, P/SS/OF | 2022 | uncommitted

Henri is a multi-sport athlete that is always one of the most athletic ballplayers in any ballpark. She is a righty pitcher that can overpower most teams. Henri can play any position on the field when not on the mound. She is a power hitter that will send a ball out of the park really fast if a pitcher makes a mistake. With a recent switch in pitching coaches, her velocity has increased from the mid-50s to high/low 60s with great movement. The sky is the limit with Henri as she can literally play anywhere on the field. 

Riley Becker, C/3B | 2022 | uncommitted

Becker is a power-hitting catcher that also hits for average. She led our team in hitting from the No. 4 spot since the team’s inception. Becker takes control of the defense from behind the plate with her voice and she keeps baserunners at bay with her arm. Her pop times are consistently at 1.7-1.8.  

Mary Caroline “MC” Eaton, C/OF | 2022 | uncommitted

Eaton is a power-hitting catcher that continues to get taller and stronger. She is a strong defensive catcher that keeps balls in front with her ability to block and receive. Eaton is a very athletic catcher with extreme upside. Her pop times from behind the plate are 1.7-1.8 and she continues to improve.  

Sylvia Burroughs, SS/1B/OF | 2022 | uncommitted

Burroughs is one of the best pure hitters in the 2022 class. She hits for power and for average. Burroughs is a true utility player that can play any position but pitcher. She is a multi-sport athlete and truly leads our team in the dugout and on the field. 

Holly Griffin, 1B/DH | 2022 | uncommitted

Griffin is a pure power hitter who pitchers are intimidated by because of her height, build, and swing. When she is at the plate, the ball is capable of leaving the park no matter who she faces.  

Alexa Fusco, 2B/OF | 2023 | uncommitted

Fusco is without question one of the best 2023s at second base in the nation. Her glove is unreal. She has tons of range and a big arm. Offensively, she has been called the spark plug. Fusco hits in the one or two hole. She has the ability to bunt and get down the line quickly putting tons of pressure on a defense. She’s one of the scrappiest players on our team.

Macy Aikia, OF/2B | 2022 | uncommitted

Aikia has recently transitioned over to the left side of the plate to become a slapper and has already proven to be very effective with her great hand/eye coordination and speed. Her speed and ability to place the ball all over the field helps put pressure on the opposing defense. Her softball IQ is high and that allows her to find herself all over the field defensively, she can play middle infield as well as anyone but has found herself in the outfield because of her ability to track balls and throw runners out from afar.

Janelle Ilacqua, SS/2B | 2022 | uncommitted

Ilacqua is a true middle infielder with a fantastic glove, lots of range, and will wow you with her ability to make the really hard plays look routine. She hits in the three hole in the lineup and sprays the ball to all fields. Ilacqua rarely strikes out, hits for average and power. Janelle has a very high softball IQ that allows her to perform at the top of her class offensively and defensively. 

Emma Tisdale, 3B/1B | 2022 | uncommitted

Tisdale is a steady third baseman that has a strong arm that can cover the short game well. She produces a lot of power when she swings. Tisdale hits for average, can drop down a bunt when needed, and is one of the best at the hit and run on our team.

Ellie Goins, OF | 2022 | uncommitted

In center field, Goins has tremendous range in the outfield. She is very quick and savvy on the bases. She takes extra bases on the opposition nearly every game. At the plate, she has a lot of pop and makes pitchers crazy driving up the pitch count.  

Tayven Stephenson, P/3B | 2023 | uncommitted

Tayven looks to be one of the top right handed pitchers coming out of the 2023 class.  In August 2017 she was selected to the Select 30 team in Baton Rouge, LA.  While in Baton Rouge, she was clocked between 62-63 MPH from the mound.  Tayven also swings a big stick and projects to be a player that will not only be a big asset from the pitching circle at the next level but also asset in the batter’s box.   Huge things to come for Tayven in the next few years as she develops into one on the nation’s top players coming out of the 2023 class.

Katriel Williams, OF | 2022 | uncommitted

Williams is a freak athlete that pound for pound is as strong as any kid you will see. Recently, Williams retired from being a ranked gymnast to focus solely on softball. With her speed, she is tough to throw out. When Williams reaches first, she scores 85 percent of the time. She puts a tremendous amount of pressure on opposing defense when on the base paths. Katiel hits for power and average and has very quick hands that allow her to turn on the inside pitch.