Elon Softball Announces 2013 Recruiting Class

ELON, N.C. – Elon softball head coach Kathy Bocock announced the signing of five student-athletes to the team for the 2013-14 season on Wednesday, Dec. 12. The 2013 class of Allison Burdette (South Charleston High School, Charleston, W. Va.), Alaina Hall (North Gwinnett High School, Suwanee, Ga.), Carey Million (The Hun School of Princeton, Roebling, N.J.), Jenna Reilly (Pope High School, Marietta Ga.) and Emily Roper (Princeton High School, Cincinnati, Ohio) consists of versatile talent with the ability to play multiple positions and make an immediate impact for the Phoenix next year.

“This is a very athletic class that’s very sound academically,” said Bocock. “We are very excited about this class and can’t say enough about them. They all come from great families and will add to the great character of student-athletes we have now.”

Allison “Alli” Burdette | 5’8” | Pitcher | Charleston, W.Va. | South Charleston High School
Burdette has been a first team All-Mountain State Athletic Conference, All-Kanawha County and All-State performer for South Charleston High School the last two seasons playing for coaches Mike Moyers and Bobby Catlett. She earned the 2012 All-MSAC and All-Kanawha-Putnam Valley Player of Year after going 12-8 with 256 strikeouts and a 0.78 ERA in 126 innings pitched in the circle.

Burdette also had a great year at the plate in 2012, hitting .397 with four home runs and 20 runs-batted-in and helped the Black Eagles to a sectional runner-up appearance.

The daughter of Ronald and Beverly Burdette, Alli is currently undecided on a major.

“Alli is a student-athlete from West Virginia that has been to a few of our camps,” said Bocock. “I was really impressed with how well she throws the ball. We lost Erin O’Shea from last year and she had a great spin on the ball as a lefty pitcher. Alli brings a lot of that to us, but as a righty.”

Why Alli chose Elon: “Elon offers great academics, a beautiful campus with great facilities, and great coaching staff. I knew it was a good fit for me on my very first visit.”

Alaina Hall | 5’5” | OF/P | Suwanee, Ga. | North Gwinnett High School
At North Gwinnett High School playing under head coach Randy Black, Hall was a standout player for the Bulldogs, helping them make the state playoffs from her sophomore through her senior campaigns. NGHS advanced to the Sweet Sixteen before winning the 7-6A regional championship during Hall’s senior year after she lead the team in hits and singles while finishing second on the squad with a .380 batting average.

Hall was awarded as a 7-6A All-Region and All-County performer and recognized as an All-Star player during that year. She earned 7-5A All-Region and All-County accolades in her junior year after pacing the team in hits, triples, stolen bases, and runs.

An all-around athlete, Hall competed in track and field at NGHS, was the runner-up in the triple jump at the regional meet and the team MVP as a junior. She was also awarded the Coaches’ Award as a sophomore.

Hall has been equally impressive in the classroom as she is on the field, maintaining a 3.75 GPA and being named a scholar athlete throughout her high school career. She was also named the Freshman Mentor of the Month in August this past year.

Hall is the daughter of N. Douglas and Deborah Hall and plans to major in physics. Her sister, Kristin, is currently an outfielder for the softball team at West Georgia University.

“Alaina is an amazing student and athlete,” said Bocock. “She can pitch, but she’s coming mainly as an outfielder for us. She’s a lefty slapper, but with power and we’re excited that she’s coming in and will add a lot for us both offensively and defensively.”

Why Alaina chose Elon: “I chose Elon University because the coaching staff showed a genuine interest in me as a person as well as an athlete. Also, the campus is beautiful and the education is top notch.”

Carey Million | 5’8” | C/1B/OF | Roebling, N.J. | The Hun School of Princeton
A three-year letterwinner at The Hun School of Princeton under coach Kathryn Quirk, Million earned a spot on the All-Prep first team her junior year. She also was named All-Mid-Atlantic Prep League that season and served as the team captain.

Aside from softball, Million has earned letters in field hockey and basketball. She received honorable mention in field hockey this year from the Central Jersey Field Hockey Coaches Association. She also won the Coaches’ Award in basketball her sophomore year.

Million has been on the Honor Roll every year in high school and plans to major in exercise science/physical therapy at Elon. She is the daughter of Mark and Mary Beth Million.

“Carey is a very strong athlete,” said Bocock. “She can catch, play the corners and has the potential as an athlete to play anywhere else that we need her to play. She’s very strong academically and is a great person from a great family.”

Why Carey chose Elon: “I chose Elon because it gives me the opportunity to receive an outstanding education while playing softball at a Division I level. Everything about Elon just felt right and I am excited to be apart of a great team with an awesome coaching staff. Go Phoenix!”

Jenna Reilly | 5’0” | 3B/2B | Marietta, Ga. | Pope High School
Reilly lettered all four years under coach Chris Turco at Pope High School and helped the Greyhounds to a regional championship and a state finalist appearance in 2012. In 2011-12, she was named first team All-Region, All-County and captured the Silver Slugger award. She also earned first team All-State in 2011 and holds the school record in at-bats (333), runs scored (120), stolen bases (50) and home runs (9).

Reilly also earned a varsity letter in track and is a four-year scholar athlete and honor student. The daughter of Michelle Reilly, she plans to major in physical therapy.

“Jenna is more of a corner player, but could play a little second and shortstop for us,” said Bocock. “She’s a talented student-athlete that loves the game, has the heart of a lion and can really get after it.”

Why Jenna chose Elon: “I chose Elon University to not only play Division I softball, but also for the exemplary quality of education I know I will receive. The focus on leadership and the global presence are things that will benefit me in all aspects of my future. Elon is the perfect fit for my definition of a student-athlete.”

Emily Roper | 5’10” | Catcher | Cincinnati, Ohio | Princeton High School
Under head coach Mary Von Bargen, Roper has earned All-Greater Miami Conference honors for the Vikings in her career at PHS. Roper received first team All-GMC accolades in 2011 and 2012 and made the second team in 2010. She was also a member of the Academic All-GMC team the past two seasons. She earned All-City honorable mention in both 2011 and 2012 and has been named team MVP the past three years.

Roper is a three-sport varsity athlete at Princeton High School and a member of the National Honor Society. She was recognized as a National Achievement semi-finalist and a NMSQT Commended Scholar in 2012 as well as a 1B Diploma Candidate in the past two years.

The daughter of Emmett and Patricia Roper, Emily plans to major in English at Elon. Her brothers, David and Danny, are members of the baseball team at Walsh University. Her father also competed in baseball at Bluffton College.

“Emily brings a lot of athletic ability and a lot to the table also,” said Bocock. “She can do a number of different things; she catches, plays the corners and even in the outfield.”

Why Emily chose Elon: “I chose to go to Elon because it had all the things I was looking for in a school. It has a great academic reputation and a softball team that I’m really excited about. I felt instantly welcome on the field and on campus, and I feel sure that being a Phoenix will help me accomplish my goals and attain success.”