University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Bears Welcome Five Signees to 2026 Softball Class
11/12/2025 3:46:00 PM | Softball
UNC adds talent from Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and California on National Signing Day
GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado head softball coach Dedeann Pendleton-Helm announced the addition of five high school standouts on Wednesday as part of National Signing Day, welcoming a talented group set to join the Bears program in the fall of 2026.
The class features athletes from five states, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and California, including Payton Rogers (Boulder City, Nev.), Mason Abraham (Littleton, Colo.), Jordan Castrellon (El Monte, Calif.), Addie Moccia (Las Cruces, N.M.), and Micaela Valenzuela (Vail, Ariz.).
Payton Rogers
LHP/First Base | Boulder City, Nevada | Boulder City High School
Left-handed pitcher and first baseman Payton Rogers joins the Bears from Boulder City High School, where she has been a dominant force in the circle and at the plate since her freshman year. Rogers has earned First Team All-League and All-State honors each season, while being named 3A Mountain Region Player of the Year, 3A Southern Player of the Year, and 3A State Player of the Year multiple times.
A multi-sport athlete in softball and flag football, Rogers has also been recognized as a Scholar-Athlete and team leader throughout her high school career. Her favorite sports moment came during her junior season, when she delivered a walk-off hit in the state playoff game to send her team to the championship.
Rogers is the daughter of Jennifer and Wessley Rogers and has one brother, Tanner. She chose UNC because she "loved the area, the mountains, and the sense of community in Greeley."
"We are thrilled to announce that Payton Rogers has officially signed with the Bears softball family for the fall of 2026! Peyton, a talented pitcher from Boulder City, Nevada, brings solid speed and exceptional movement to the circle," said Coach Pendleton-Helm, "Her strong work ethic and determination will add valuable depth to our program and pitching staff, and we know she will make a meaningful impact for UNC Softball on and off the field. We look forward to seeing Payton grow as an athlete and person in the coming years. Welcome to the Bears family, Payton!"
Mason Abraham
Outfield/First Base | Littleton, Colorado | Columbine High School
Mason Abraham signs with Northern Colorado after an accomplished prep career at Columbine High School in Littleton, where she was a key contributor in three sports: softball, basketball, and track. A 2022 5A State Champion, Abraham has earned First Team All-Conference and All-State Honorable Mention honors in softball while also being recognized on the CHSAA Academic All-State First Team.
Abraham has been a multi-year varsity letterwinner across all three sports and was named Basketball All-Conference Honorable Mention in 2025. She plans to major in Sports and Exercise Science or Criminology at UNC.
The daughter of Amy and Shane Abraham, Mason's athletic roots run deep. Her father played tennis at Coe College, her mother attended Oregon, and both of her grandparents, Joe Smith and Stephanie Rosenbaum, are UNC alumni.
"We are thrilled to announce that Mason Abrahams has officially signed to join the Bears softball family in the fall of 2026! Mason's ability to compete at a high level, her dedication as a multi-sport athlete, and her willingness to push herself make her a tremendous addition to our program," said Coach Pendleton-Helm, "Her skills across first base and all outfield positions, coupled with her work ethic and passion for the game, will add valuable depth and versatility to our roster. We look forward to the impact
Mason will make both on and off the field in our pursuit of excellence at Northern Colorado! Welcome to the Bear family, Mason!"
Jordan Castrellon
Catcher/Shortstop | El Monte, California | Los Alamitos High School
California native Jordan Castrellon comes to Greeley from Los Alamitos High School, one of the nation's premier softball programs. A 2025 CIF Southern Section Division II Champion, Castrellon has been recognized on the PGF All-American National Watch List and selected to compete in multiple USA Softball National Selection Events.
She represented Team Mexico at the Triple Crown International Challenge, helping the squad to a third-place finish, and participated in the U-18 USA Softball of Southern California Tokyo Exchange Program. A Scholar-Athlete, Castrellon plans to study Nursing at UNC and pursue a career as a pediatric nurse.
She is the daughter of Alecxis Sanchez and Erik Castrellon and has one sister, Sadie.
"We are thrilled to announce that Jordan Castrellon has officially signed with the Bears softball family for the fall of 2026! Jordan Castrellon is an exceptional addition to our program," said Coach Pendleton-Helm, "As a catcher, she has a strong arm and advanced defensive skills, and she brings a high level of discipline both on and off the field. Jordan's dedication to her studies, her excellent family values, and her work ethic will help our team both behind the dish and throughout our lineup. Jordan will add depth and leadership to our battery and we look forward to seeing her grow as an athlete and person in the coming years. Welcome to the Bears family, Jordan!"
Addie Moccia
Outfield | Las Cruces, New Mexico | Centennial High School
From Las Cruces, New Mexico, Addie Moccia joins UNC after leading Centennial High School to back-to-back state championships. The dynamic outfielder has earned First Team All-State, All-District, and Golden Glove honors while also excelling in volleyball and weightlifting.
A member of the National Honor Society, Moccia is the daughter of Mario and Heidi Moccia, both former collegiate athletes. Her father played baseball at New Mexico State, and her mother competed in soccer at UMass and Texas State. She plans to major in Business at UNC.
"We are thrilled to announce that Addie Moccia will be joining our Bears softball family in the fall of 2026!" said Coach Pendleton-Helm, "Addie comes from a strong athletic background in which both of parents were college athletes and has undoubtedly shaped her into the talented player she is today. She excels in multiple positions, both infield and outfield and her strong hitting is her strength. Addie will help our team as we continue to build a competitive program. We are excited to have Addie on board and look forward to seeing her contributions both on and off the field. Welcome to the Bears family, Addie!"
Micaela Valenzuela
Infield | Vail, Arizona | Cienega High School
Rounding out the 2026 class is Micaela Valenzuela, a corner infielder from Cienega High School in Vail, Arizona. Standing 5-foot-7, Valenzuela provides strength and versatility at both first and third base. She plans to major in Health Sciences and chose UNC because she "loved the coaches and the campus."
"We are thrilled to announce that Micaela Valenzuela has joined our Bears softball family for the fall of 2026!" said Coach Pendleton-Helm, "Micaela comes to us from Vail Arizona and will join two of our Bears from that same city. She has consistently showcased her impressive skills as a corner. Her impressive power in her swing and strength at the plate will be a tremendous asset to our team, and we look forward to seeing her impact on the field. We are looking forward to seeing Micaela in action and cannot wait for her to contribute to our team's success. Welcome to the Bears family, Micaela!"
For the latest news and updates on Northern Colorado Softball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram at @UNC_BearsSB, and on Facebook at /UNCBearsSB.
The class features athletes from five states, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and California, including Payton Rogers (Boulder City, Nev.), Mason Abraham (Littleton, Colo.), Jordan Castrellon (El Monte, Calif.), Addie Moccia (Las Cruces, N.M.), and Micaela Valenzuela (Vail, Ariz.).
Payton Rogers
LHP/First Base | Boulder City, Nevada | Boulder City High School
Left-handed pitcher and first baseman Payton Rogers joins the Bears from Boulder City High School, where she has been a dominant force in the circle and at the plate since her freshman year. Rogers has earned First Team All-League and All-State honors each season, while being named 3A Mountain Region Player of the Year, 3A Southern Player of the Year, and 3A State Player of the Year multiple times.
A multi-sport athlete in softball and flag football, Rogers has also been recognized as a Scholar-Athlete and team leader throughout her high school career. Her favorite sports moment came during her junior season, when she delivered a walk-off hit in the state playoff game to send her team to the championship.
Rogers is the daughter of Jennifer and Wessley Rogers and has one brother, Tanner. She chose UNC because she "loved the area, the mountains, and the sense of community in Greeley."
"We are thrilled to announce that Payton Rogers has officially signed with the Bears softball family for the fall of 2026! Peyton, a talented pitcher from Boulder City, Nevada, brings solid speed and exceptional movement to the circle," said Coach Pendleton-Helm, "Her strong work ethic and determination will add valuable depth to our program and pitching staff, and we know she will make a meaningful impact for UNC Softball on and off the field. We look forward to seeing Payton grow as an athlete and person in the coming years. Welcome to the Bears family, Payton!"
Mason Abraham
Outfield/First Base | Littleton, Colorado | Columbine High School
Mason Abraham signs with Northern Colorado after an accomplished prep career at Columbine High School in Littleton, where she was a key contributor in three sports: softball, basketball, and track. A 2022 5A State Champion, Abraham has earned First Team All-Conference and All-State Honorable Mention honors in softball while also being recognized on the CHSAA Academic All-State First Team.
Abraham has been a multi-year varsity letterwinner across all three sports and was named Basketball All-Conference Honorable Mention in 2025. She plans to major in Sports and Exercise Science or Criminology at UNC.
The daughter of Amy and Shane Abraham, Mason's athletic roots run deep. Her father played tennis at Coe College, her mother attended Oregon, and both of her grandparents, Joe Smith and Stephanie Rosenbaum, are UNC alumni.
"We are thrilled to announce that Mason Abrahams has officially signed to join the Bears softball family in the fall of 2026! Mason's ability to compete at a high level, her dedication as a multi-sport athlete, and her willingness to push herself make her a tremendous addition to our program," said Coach Pendleton-Helm, "Her skills across first base and all outfield positions, coupled with her work ethic and passion for the game, will add valuable depth and versatility to our roster. We look forward to the impact
Mason will make both on and off the field in our pursuit of excellence at Northern Colorado! Welcome to the Bear family, Mason!"
Jordan Castrellon
Catcher/Shortstop | El Monte, California | Los Alamitos High School
California native Jordan Castrellon comes to Greeley from Los Alamitos High School, one of the nation's premier softball programs. A 2025 CIF Southern Section Division II Champion, Castrellon has been recognized on the PGF All-American National Watch List and selected to compete in multiple USA Softball National Selection Events.
She represented Team Mexico at the Triple Crown International Challenge, helping the squad to a third-place finish, and participated in the U-18 USA Softball of Southern California Tokyo Exchange Program. A Scholar-Athlete, Castrellon plans to study Nursing at UNC and pursue a career as a pediatric nurse.
She is the daughter of Alecxis Sanchez and Erik Castrellon and has one sister, Sadie.
"We are thrilled to announce that Jordan Castrellon has officially signed with the Bears softball family for the fall of 2026! Jordan Castrellon is an exceptional addition to our program," said Coach Pendleton-Helm, "As a catcher, she has a strong arm and advanced defensive skills, and she brings a high level of discipline both on and off the field. Jordan's dedication to her studies, her excellent family values, and her work ethic will help our team both behind the dish and throughout our lineup. Jordan will add depth and leadership to our battery and we look forward to seeing her grow as an athlete and person in the coming years. Welcome to the Bears family, Jordan!"
Addie Moccia
Outfield | Las Cruces, New Mexico | Centennial High School
From Las Cruces, New Mexico, Addie Moccia joins UNC after leading Centennial High School to back-to-back state championships. The dynamic outfielder has earned First Team All-State, All-District, and Golden Glove honors while also excelling in volleyball and weightlifting.
A member of the National Honor Society, Moccia is the daughter of Mario and Heidi Moccia, both former collegiate athletes. Her father played baseball at New Mexico State, and her mother competed in soccer at UMass and Texas State. She plans to major in Business at UNC.
"We are thrilled to announce that Addie Moccia will be joining our Bears softball family in the fall of 2026!" said Coach Pendleton-Helm, "Addie comes from a strong athletic background in which both of parents were college athletes and has undoubtedly shaped her into the talented player she is today. She excels in multiple positions, both infield and outfield and her strong hitting is her strength. Addie will help our team as we continue to build a competitive program. We are excited to have Addie on board and look forward to seeing her contributions both on and off the field. Welcome to the Bears family, Addie!"
Micaela Valenzuela
Infield | Vail, Arizona | Cienega High School
Rounding out the 2026 class is Micaela Valenzuela, a corner infielder from Cienega High School in Vail, Arizona. Standing 5-foot-7, Valenzuela provides strength and versatility at both first and third base. She plans to major in Health Sciences and chose UNC because she "loved the coaches and the campus."
"We are thrilled to announce that Micaela Valenzuela has joined our Bears softball family for the fall of 2026!" said Coach Pendleton-Helm, "Micaela comes to us from Vail Arizona and will join two of our Bears from that same city. She has consistently showcased her impressive skills as a corner. Her impressive power in her swing and strength at the plate will be a tremendous asset to our team, and we look forward to seeing her impact on the field. We are looking forward to seeing Micaela in action and cannot wait for her to contribute to our team's success. Welcome to the Bears family, Micaela!"
For the latest news and updates on Northern Colorado Softball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram at @UNC_BearsSB, and on Facebook at /UNCBearsSB.
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