Seven Join Elon Softball in 2018 Recruiting Class

ELON, N.C. – The Elon University softball team and head coach Kathy Bocock announced the additions of seven incoming student-athletes that is slated to join the program in the fall of 2018 as the latest members of the Phoenix’s recruiting class on Friday, Jan. 5.

The seven newest members of the Phoenix are Lauryn Clarke (Ashburn, Va.), Allison Eith (Alpharetta, Ga.), Katie Hoover (Tampa, Fla.), Sydney Ingle (Greensboro, N.C.), Rebecca Murray (Indian Trail, N.C.), Grace Sherron (Roxboro, N.C.) and Megan White (Creedmoor, N.C.).

“We are very excited about our 2018 recruiting class,” said Bocock. “This class is a great mix of skill and talent and just great people overall as we have gotten to know them over the years during the recruitment process. I believe they are going to make a huge impact on this program during their careers at Elon.”

Lauryn Clarke • Infielder • Ashburn, Va. • Rock Ridge High School

Prep/Club Career
• Plays for Rock Ridge High School under head coach Phil Cox
• Has led the team in batting average during her first three seasons (.545, .465, .553)
• An All-Conference selection in her first three seasons
• Named the Loudoun County Athlete of the Month in 2016
• Led the team in homeruns the past two seasons
• Plays travel ball for the SYA Xplosion 18U and head coach Jim Purtell

Personal
• Daughter of Chris and Nicole Clarke
• Intends to major in communication studies or journalism/sports management

Coach Bo says: “Lauryn is very athletic and has great potential. She has the ability to not only play any of the middle infield positions where she has been accustomed to, but anywhere else that we need her because of her athleticism.”

Lauryn on Why Elon: “I instantly fell in love with the beautiful campus; I had never seen any place like it. The distance from my house to Elon was just right…. My family is so important to me, and to know they still can drive and come watch me play softball whenever they want was a plus in my decision. I loved the small classes and the one on one attention I got from the professor, which you would not get at a large school. Elon has an amazing communications program and that is what I am looking to study. Another major reason for my decision to attend Elon is because I want to play softball at a school that I can contribute and know that my coaches and teammates will always have my back. Getting the opportunity to obtain a great education along with the caring nature and energy received from the softball coaching staff sealed my decision to become a Phoenix.”

Allie Eith • Outfielder • Alpharetta, Ga. • Mount Pisgah Christian School

Prep/Club Career
• Four-year letterwinner and starter at Mount Pisgah Christian School under head coach Kent Harrison
• Was an All-Region honoree in 2016 after batting .490 with 32 stolen bases
• Georgia Dugout Club All-State Senior nominee in 2017
• Helped team to the Elite Eight and an undefeated regular season in 2016 and to the Sweet Sixteen in 2017
• Also competed in track and field
• Played travel ball with Team Georgia Henning under head coach Dan Henning

Personal
• Daughter of Ron Eith and Kelly Rolader
• Intends to major in business/finance

Coach Bo Says: “As an outfielder, Allie has tremendous speed. She has attended our camps in the past and showed us unbelievable potential in the outfield with her ability to read the ball well. We’re excited to have Allie join our program.

Allie on Why Elon: ” I chose Elon because of the competitive program in which the coaches push the girls to be their best on and off the field. Also, Elon feels like home and is similar to my high school with small classes where one can have personal relationships with teachers. I am excited to be a Phoenix.”

Katie Hoover • Utility • Tampa, Fla. • Berkeley Preparatory School

Prep/Club Career
• A four-year varsity letterwinner at Berkeley Preparatory School under head coach Dayna Crawford
• A two-time all-county selection
• Holds a .463 career batting average
• Named the 2016 Berkeley Softball Most Valuable Player
• Plays travel ball with the Clearwater Bullets and head coach Danny Sharpe

Personal
• Daughter of Kris and Beth Hoover
• Sister Kristin currently a senior on the Phoenix softball team
• Undecided on a major

Coach Bo Says: “Katie has great work ethic and can play multiple positions for us. She can play the infield and outfield and can also pitch. She has been very successful with that versatility and we’re excited that she will be joining us.”

Katie on Why Elon: ” A beautiful campus, small class size and strong sense of community were all things I was looking for in a school and Elon fit the script perfectly. I continued to discover unique traditions and characteristics of the school that made me love it even more. The opportunity to go to such an amazing school and to be able to play the sport I love is a dream come true. I am eager to see what my future holds at Elon University.”

Sydney Ingle • Pitcher • Greensboro, N.C. • Southeast Guilford

Prep/Club Career
• Pitches at Southeast Guilford High School under head coach Shannon Cowart
• Three-time all-conference selection through her first three seasons
• All-state pick her sophomore and junior seasons
• Made the All-area team during her junior year
• Played travel ball with the Carolina Wildcats Elite under head coach Jeff McPhail
• Earned the Team Offensive Award her sophomore year with her club team

Personal
• Daughter of Wes and Ashley Ingle
• Undecided on a major

Coach Bo Says: “Sydney has been coming to our camps for a long time and comes from the same high school as (senior outfielder) Kara Shutt. We’ve watched her grow over the years and she has improved each time we have seen her. We’re super excited that she will be a part of this program.”

Sydney on Why Elon: “The reason I picked Elon is because when I first stepped on the campus it felt like home. Everything in Elon is so beautiful and everyone is so welcoming. Elon is also very close to my home so I know when I play my friends and family can come watch me. Elon is the only place I could see myself at for the next four years.”

Rebecca Murray • Outfielder • Indian Trail, N.C. • Sun Valley

Prep/Club Career
• Played at Sun Valley High School for head coach Rob Enloe
• Named the 2014 Sun Valley and Union County Newcomer of the Year
• Only freshman named to the Charlotte Observer team in 2014
• Three-time all-conference and all-district selection
• Named the 2015 Sun Valley Defensive Player of the Year
• Played travel ball for the Carolina Cardinals for head coach Scott Long and assistant coach and former Elon player Carleigh Nester

Personal
• Daughter of Chris and Kim Murray
• Intends to major in psychology

Coach Bo Says: “Rebecca is an incredible athlete and will bring a lot of ability to this team with her speed. She is an outfielder who reads the ball very well and is super competitive. We are excited that she is joining the program.”

Rebecca on Why Elon: “The moment I stepped on campus it felt like home to me: the strong softball program, small class sizes and a school that was close to home. I wanted to attend a school where I would grow as a person, as well as be challenged on the field and in the classroom. I know I will get that and even more at Elon. I can’t wait to spend the next four years of my life at Elon!”

Grace Sherron • Utility • Roxboro, N.C. • Roxboro Community School

Prep/Club Career
• Played at Roxboro Community School under coaches Sean Kendrick, Anthony Lee and Travis Sherron
• Three-time All-conference selection two first team honor the last two seasons
• Named the NCAC Player of the Year as a sophomore after hitting .464 with 20 RBI
• Batted .472 as a junior with 11 RBI and a .532 on-base percentage and a slugging percentage of .698
• Played travel ball for the Carolina Wildcats and head coach Jeff McPhail
• Batted .391 during the 2017 travel ball season and had a .522 on-base percentage

Personal
• Daughter of Michael Travis Sherron and Stacie Davis Sherron
• Plans to major in sports marketing

Coach Bo Says: “Grace is a player that we have watched over time. She has great glove work and can play the middle infield for us or third base. She’s a very focused and determined individual and we are very fortunate that she’ll be at Elon next year.”

Grace on Why Elon: “I chose Elon for the amazing coaches, the beautiful campus and the strong competition of academics!”

Megan White • Catcher/First Base • Creedmoor, N.C. • South Granville

Prep/Club Career
• Plays at South Granville High School under head coach Walter Day
• Helped her team to the State championships in 2015 and 2016 and a runner-up finish in 2017
• Named the MVP of the State Championships in 2016
• All-conference, All-state and All-district selection from 2015-17
• The 2A Player of the Year for District 3
• Played travel ball with the Carolina Cardinals Chandler with head coach Rick Mchone

Personal
• Daughter of Lacy and Lisa White
• Undecided in a major

Coach Bo Says: “Megan White is going to be a really good player for us. Her bat speed and the way that she can hit is incredible. She does a great job behind the plate, but can also play the corners if needed. She understands and knows the game very well and has a leadership quality about her. We’re glad that she will be with this program next year.”

Megan on Why Elon: “I chose Elon because it was the school of my dreams. The atmosphere around the entire school was so supportive and encouraging that I immediately felt at home. I was in a place where I could be myself and have a great four years. That was really important to me and helped me make my decision to become a Phoenix!”