University of North Texas Athletics
Photo by: Georgia Tech Athletics
UNT Adds Georgia Tech Transfer Jenna Goodrich
9/19/2018 3:15:00 PM | Softball
DENTON – The North Texas softball team has signed Georgia Tech transfer Jenna Goodrich, head coach Rodney DeLong announced Wednesday.
"This is a great set of girls and I see a lot of opportunity here," Goodrich said. "We've come a long way just in our short time together this fall. This coaching staff has been awesome and I'm super excited to play under them. I think we're going to do great things this year."
A Davie, Fla., native, the right-handed Goodrich adds much-needed depth and experience in the circle for the Mean Green after two seasons with the Yellow Jackets, in which she went 17-28 and racked up 183 strikeouts.
"We needed the depth and, to add a kid with elaborate Power 5 experience, is great," DeLong said. "She should make an immediate impact on our staff. She's pitched against some of the best players in the country, so there's definitely things she can add that will benefit us."
After finishing her sophomore season with the 10th-most batters struck out looking in the ACC, Goodrich redshirted in 2018, leaving her with two years of eligibility in Denton.
"I think I became very wise this past year, so that was a big transition for me to go from player to spectator and back," Goodrich said. "It's a big stride, but having played against Florida State or any of the Power 5 teams I faced is going to come in handy."
"There'll be some adjustments that we make with her, but it's just going to be getting her comfortable," DeLong said. "She's very capable of playing at a high level."
As she starts a new chapter in her career, Goodrich is prepared to step in as a leader, despite being a newcomer. And with just two years to make a name for herself in a Mean Green uniform, she's eager to leave a mark.
"This is going to be the team that starts that, changes the culture and sets the tone for what future teams' expectations should be," Goodrich said. "Overall, I'm just ready to start a new season on a fresh note."
DeLong and Goodrich have a bit of history together as Delong served as the hitting instructor and infielders coach for Georgia Tech in 2017.
"Jenna has a high ceiling and I don't think we got to her full potential there," DeLong said. "I think Jenna will flourish here and I'm excited to see what she becomes here."
Goodrich has also crossed paths with Mean Green seniors Rhylie Makawe and Harley Perella, who recorded a career-high four hits in as many at-bats off Goodrich in a 2016 contest that ended in UNT's favor, 10-2.
"I was in the zone and seeing beach balls," Perella said. "I didn't even know that was Jenna."
"I was the only pitcher available in that series and had to take on that responsibility as a freshman," Goodrich said. "I was trying to work on pitches and rely on my defense as much as I could."
A graduate of American Heritage High School in Plantation, Fla., Goodrich was named the 2015 Florida Gatorade Player of the Year after posting a 15-1 record with a 0.38 ERA, leading the Patriots (25-2-1) to the Class 5A state championship game.
Goodrich struck out 148 batters in 92 innings pitched, allowing just 25 hits and 21 walks while throwing four no-hitters. At the plate, she batted .471 with three home runs, 31 RBI and a .743 slugging percentage. Under DeLong's tutelage, Goodrich will provide a two-way threat for UNT.
"I'd like to utilize all her strengths," DeLong said. "If I have a pitcher that can hit, I want them to. I've never taken that from a pitcher. If she gives us our best chance, then absolutely."
Goodrich will debut in a Mean Green uniform in fall play, beginning against Murray State College at 6 p.m. Sept. 27 at Lovelace Stadium.
"This is a great set of girls and I see a lot of opportunity here," Goodrich said. "We've come a long way just in our short time together this fall. This coaching staff has been awesome and I'm super excited to play under them. I think we're going to do great things this year."
A Davie, Fla., native, the right-handed Goodrich adds much-needed depth and experience in the circle for the Mean Green after two seasons with the Yellow Jackets, in which she went 17-28 and racked up 183 strikeouts.
"We needed the depth and, to add a kid with elaborate Power 5 experience, is great," DeLong said. "She should make an immediate impact on our staff. She's pitched against some of the best players in the country, so there's definitely things she can add that will benefit us."
After finishing her sophomore season with the 10th-most batters struck out looking in the ACC, Goodrich redshirted in 2018, leaving her with two years of eligibility in Denton.
"I think I became very wise this past year, so that was a big transition for me to go from player to spectator and back," Goodrich said. "It's a big stride, but having played against Florida State or any of the Power 5 teams I faced is going to come in handy."
"There'll be some adjustments that we make with her, but it's just going to be getting her comfortable," DeLong said. "She's very capable of playing at a high level."
As she starts a new chapter in her career, Goodrich is prepared to step in as a leader, despite being a newcomer. And with just two years to make a name for herself in a Mean Green uniform, she's eager to leave a mark.
"This is going to be the team that starts that, changes the culture and sets the tone for what future teams' expectations should be," Goodrich said. "Overall, I'm just ready to start a new season on a fresh note."
DeLong and Goodrich have a bit of history together as Delong served as the hitting instructor and infielders coach for Georgia Tech in 2017.
"Jenna has a high ceiling and I don't think we got to her full potential there," DeLong said. "I think Jenna will flourish here and I'm excited to see what she becomes here."
Goodrich has also crossed paths with Mean Green seniors Rhylie Makawe and Harley Perella, who recorded a career-high four hits in as many at-bats off Goodrich in a 2016 contest that ended in UNT's favor, 10-2.
"I was in the zone and seeing beach balls," Perella said. "I didn't even know that was Jenna."
"I was the only pitcher available in that series and had to take on that responsibility as a freshman," Goodrich said. "I was trying to work on pitches and rely on my defense as much as I could."
A graduate of American Heritage High School in Plantation, Fla., Goodrich was named the 2015 Florida Gatorade Player of the Year after posting a 15-1 record with a 0.38 ERA, leading the Patriots (25-2-1) to the Class 5A state championship game.
Goodrich struck out 148 batters in 92 innings pitched, allowing just 25 hits and 21 walks while throwing four no-hitters. At the plate, she batted .471 with three home runs, 31 RBI and a .743 slugging percentage. Under DeLong's tutelage, Goodrich will provide a two-way threat for UNT.
"I'd like to utilize all her strengths," DeLong said. "If I have a pitcher that can hit, I want them to. I've never taken that from a pitcher. If she gives us our best chance, then absolutely."
Goodrich will debut in a Mean Green uniform in fall play, beginning against Murray State College at 6 p.m. Sept. 27 at Lovelace Stadium.
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