Charlotte, NC - Johnson & Wales Charlotte head softball coach Courtney Orr is happy to announce the signing of Hailie Mathews as the eighth member of the 2025 recruiting class.

Mathews currently plays at Pierce College in Lakewood, Washington. She hit .333 in 45 at-bats for the Raiders in 2025, driving in eight runs. She appeared in 18 games, recording a .968 fielding percentage with 4 assists.She spent her freshman season at Houghton University in Houghton, NY. She played in 20 games at Hougton, hitting .255 with 2 doubles in 47 at-bats. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Auburn, WA in 2023, where she won the Golden Glove Award.

She is the daughter of Brittany and John Matthews and plans to major in Psychology at Johnson & Wales. When asked why she decided to become a Wildcat, Mathews replied, "I chose JWU because of the numerous opportunities on and off campus for personal growth" She continued, "I'm excited to be a part of the Wildcat softball program and look forward to contributing to a positive and competitive environment." Mathews has been a member of the National Honor Society since 2022. She was nominated to the 2025 National American Miss Washington pageant.

Coach Orr feels that Mathews will provide the team with needed qualities, both on and off the field. "We cannot be happier to have Hailie on board. We think she will bring a ton of leadership qualities and a lot of drive within our program. Super excited to see Hailie succeed here at JWU."