SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University softball program has signed nine athletes to national letters of intent (NLIs) to play for the Lady Raiders beginning in the 2011-12 season. The athletes are currently high school seniors and will compete with their respective schools this spring.

“Looking at the talent, skills and character of our current seniors, this was a very important recruiting summer for us,” head coach Bob Brookens said of the new class. “We could not be happier with the incoming class of 2015! They bring speed, power, pitching and great defense. More than that, each of these young ladies is an outstanding individual.”

It is a group that features a variety of talented players from Pennsylvania and Maryland.

“These players all embody the motto, “I Chose Division II,” Brookens said. “Each of these athletes is more than capable of playing ball at the Division I level, but they have chosen to play here because of their love for this school. We look forward to seeing the contributions they will make to the legacy of Ship softball.”

The recruits are as follows:

Emmie Burke
Second Base * 5-2
Bel Air, Md./C. Milton Wright

C. Milton Wright High School: Played three years as a varsity starter for the Mustangs under head coach Russell Kovach…posted a career batting average of .326…played solid defense with a .970 career fielding percentage…earned All-County honors as a junior…athlete of the week in Baltimore Sun…also played volleyball…has been a member of the honor roll…received High School Athlete-Academic award…played for club team Churchville Lightning under coach Tim Favazza.

Personal: Full name is Emmalee Claire Burke…is the daughter of David and Laureen Burke…intended major is early childhood education…has a sister, Lindsay.

Brookens on Burke: “Emmie is a member of the 'Dirty Jersey Club.' She came to our camp this summer and truly left a great impression on the coaches with her enthusiasm for the game along with her skills. Emmie will simply never let any ball out of the infield if she has any chance at all in stopping it. She also showed good power at the plate, and is a very aggressive base runner.”

Jordie Darchicourt
Shortstop * 5-3
Boiling Springs/Boiling Springs

Boiling Springs High School: Excelled as a three-year regular for her father and coach, Steve Darchicourt…selected three times as a Mid-Penn Conference All Star…named the 2009 Sentinel Softball Player of the Year…earned spots each year on the All-Carlisle Sentinel and Patriot News Big 11 teams…twice selected to the PSBCA All-State softball squad…hit .498 through three seasons with two home runs, 20 doubles and 51 RBIs…struck out just 23 times in over 175 plate appearances…scored 56 runs and stole 26 bases in three years…posted a 17-1 record as a pitcher with a 0.84 career ERA and 107 strikeouts…played for club team Central PA Krunch under coach Tod Whitman along with fellow recruit Taylor Weisman...also played field hockey, earning two letters.

Personal: Full name is Jordan Emily Darchicourt…is the daughter of Steve and Tina Darchicourt…intended majors are English and secondary education…has two sisters, Lindsay and Madison.

Brookens on Darchicourt: “Jordie is an excellent shortstop with very good range and a great arm. She is able to lay out and get to balls that should be hits! She also hits for both average and power, and has good speed. Her team leadership is awesome.”

Maddie Justice
Pitcher/First Base/Outfielder * 5-8
Bishopville, Md./Stephen Decatur

Stephen Decatur High School: Earned three letters as a pitcher, first baseman and utility player for the Seahawks under head coach Don Howard…compiled a 0.98 earned-run average through three seasons…hit .440 and posted an on-base percentage of .498…selected as a three-time NFCA All-American Scholar Athlete and First Team Daily Times All Star…played for club team Virginia Shamrocks under coach Ben Fields...also played soccer…compiled a 4.0 grade-point average through three years of high school…garnered President's Education award…achieved Principal's List and Distinguished Honor Roll selections in each of her three years of high school…squad was Bayside South Softball Champions and Maryland 3A regional semifinalists in 2008 and 2010.

Personal: Full name is Madelyn Elizabeth Justice…is the daughter of Lester and Kim Justice…intended major is health science…has one sister, Allison, a softball player for Catawba.

Brookens on Justice: “Maddie is a tireless worker. Every time we call her, she is playing ball somewhere across the country! She is an excellent pitcher who really moves the ball very well. She also plays in the outfield, demonstrating good speed and an excellent arm. She bats from the right side of the plate for power. We are very happy to get a young lady like Maddie in our program.”

Sam Lang
Third Base * 5-8
Westminster, Md./Westminster

Westminster High School: Multiple letter winner as a starter for the Owls under head coach Byron Moore…compiled a .624 batting average during her high school career…received First Team All-County honors and all-conference first team honors as a freshman…honored with all-county and all-conference second team honors as a sophomore while being named a defensive player of the year…repeated with second team all-county and all-conference honors as a junior…played for club team Lady Orioles under coach Chuck Fisher.

Personal: Full name is Samantha Joan Lang…is the daughter of Chris and Patty Lang…intended major is undeclared…has one brother: Christopher.

Brookens on Lang: “Sam is one of those players who can't stay clean for more than two pitches; she goes all out on every play. She has very good power at the plate and good speed on the bases. Sam's knowledge of the game is outstanding. She was one of those must-have players we saw very early in our recruiting process.”

Makenzie Lynn
Pitcher * 5-5
Carbondale/Carbondale

Carbondale High School: Dazzled as a pitcher over the last two seasons under her father, head coach Patrick Lynn…totaled 327 strikeouts in two years…posted ERAs of 1.97 and 1.69 during her high school career…twice hit over .300…pitched and played in Big League World Series in 2009…named a Times Tribune First or Second Team All Star every year during high school…played for club teams NEPA Hurricanes and Carbino Club Big League under head coach Joe Miraglia…member of the National Honor Society and distinguished honor roll…also competed in soccer and basketball.

Personal: Full name is Makenzie Patricia Lynn…is the daughter of Patrick and Gina Lynn…intended major is elementary education…has one sister, Katie.

Brookens on Lynn: “Makenzie is a very accomplished power pitcher who equals her power on the rubber with her power at the plate. She throws a ball that really will jump on a batter in a hurry. And Makenzie can hit one out in any at-bat. One thing we really like about Makenzie is what she likes about Ship. Though she had a ton of options, Makenzie chose Ship because of our family atmosphere. She is going to fit right in!”

Liz Parkins
Outfielder/Pitcher * 5-6
Harleysville/Souderton

Souderton High School: Served as a pitcher and played third base for the Indians under head coach Courtney Hughes…three year varsity starter…an honor roll student…named the 2010 Souderton Area Defensive Player of the Year…selected to the Suburban One League Third Team as a pitcher…possesses great speed…went 8-3 as a junior with a 1.97 ERA and 103 strikeouts… played for club team Harleysville Thunderbirds 18U Gold under coach Charlie Ball…earned American Legion award as a freshman.

Personal: Full name is Elizabeth Kristine Parkins…is the daughter of Bob and Kim Parkins…intended major is undeclared…has three sisters: Megan '03, Tara and Emily, a teammate and current Lady Raider.

Brookens on Parkins: “Liz will add to our team speed in a big way. She is another lefty slapper with the ability to hit for power. She is quick in the outfield and has a very good arm. Liz is also VERY versatile; she can help us in the outfield, infield and in the circle. It will be fun having two sisters on the team, as well!”

Tyler Thompson
Outfielder * 5-5
Arnold, Md./Broadneck

Broadneck High School: Started in center field for the Bruins under head coach Reese Kipple…her high-school teams twice won the Maryland AAAA State Championships...named “Rookie of the Year” in 2009 and was a team captain in 2010…earned three varsity letters…played for club team Maryland Chill under coach Jerry O'Neill...club squad finished 25th at 2010 ASA Nationals.

Personal: Full name is Tyler Alison Thompson…is the daughter of James Thompson and Nichole Cashour…intended major is elementary education…has six younger siblings.

Brookens on Thompson: “Tyler was the first player from the class of 2011 to commit to Ship, and we could not have been happier. She brings explosive speed to the Lady Raider offense. A lefty slapper with excellent bat control, she is going to be a real tough out and we look forward to letting her loose on the base paths. She also covers a lot of territory in the outfield, and has a very nice arm.”

Jessie Trammell
Third Base/First Base * 5-6
Ijamsville, Md./Urbana

Urbana High School: Three-year varsity starter for the Hawks under head coach Frank Husson…posted a .430 batting average through three seasons, totaling 49 RBIs and striking out just five times in nearly 200 at-bats…named to the All-MVAL Softball First Team squads in 2009 and 2010 after earning a Second Team pick as a freshman…received Washington Post All Metro honorable mention as a junior…selected twice to the Frederick News Post and All-Gazette First Team squads…played for club team Frederick Heartbreakers under coach Terry Burdette…is now playing for Darryl Ramsburg...compiled a .385 batting average and 125 RBIs in four years of club play…member of the National Honor Society.

Personal: Full name is Jessica Lynn Trammell…is the daughter of Scott and Diane Trammell…intended major is business management…has a brother, Ben.

Brookens on Trammell: “Jessie is another power bat joining us in the fall of 2011. She plays both corners very well with soft hands, quick feet, a nice arm and is another “dirty jersey.” Jessie was one of our earliest players to commit, which really shows how much she wants to come to Ship. And we sure are looking forward to having her as part of our team, as well.”

Taylor Weisman
First Base * 5-6
Harrisburg/Central Dauphin East

Central Dauphin East High School: Three-year letter winner for the Panthers under head coach Michael Stepp…played first base, second base and outfield…posted a .432 batting average as a junior with 13 RBIs and 16 runs…earned Mid Penn First Team honors…designated as an All-Mid Penn Underclassman…member of the National Honor Society…served on the class council and student council…played for club team Central PA Krunch under coach Tod Whitman along with fellow recruit Jordan Darchicourt.

Personal: Full name is Taylor Brooke Weisman…is the daughter of Richard and Janet Weisman…intended major is undeclared…has two brothers: Brent and Brandon.

Brookens on Weisman: “Taylor has really soft hands, and regularly turns throwing errors into put outs. Another player with very good power at the plate, we look for her to be a leader offensively. Her aggressive and hard-nosed play is what we love the most.”