Grace Athletics: Softball, Golf Welcome New Additions
WINONA LAKE – The Grace College softball and women’s golf programs have signed recruits for the 2017-18 seasons.
Coach Nora Reece has signed four players for her first recruiting class for the Lancer softball team. The quartet of Dori Knight, Hannah Middlebrooks, Kaitlyn Heffner and Britney Young have committed to play softball for Grace next year.
The women’s golf program has added a new addition in Rachel Harvey to join coach Denny Duncan’s team next season.
DORI KNIGHT
Dori Knight will follow in the footsteps of her two older sisters to play for the Lady Lancers.
Knight will be the third sister to attend Grace, following Andrea (volleyball, graduated) and Clarissa (softball, senior).
“I love the community atmosphere at Grace, and the Christ-centered learning,” Knight said. “I want to continue improving my skills so I can do my part to help Grace win a national championship.”
Knight pitches for Indian Creek with a 2.53 career ERA. In her 149.2 innings of work, she has struck out 105 batters.
At the plate, Knight hit .410 as a sophomore with 25 hits, 15 RBIs and 7 extra-base hits in 21 games.
Her junior season was erased before it started due to a season-ending injury, but she is projected to be the Braves’ No. 1 pitcher this season.
In her first two seasons, Knight earned All-Conference accolades at Indian Creek. She was also the team’s Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore.
Knight, who is the daughter of Tom and Jonetta Knight, wants to study biology at Grace.
HANNAH MIDDLEBROOKS
Hannah Middlebrooks is a two-way player from Huntington North. Middlebrooks pitches and is solid at the plate as well.
Middlebrooks boasts a career ERA of 3.73 entering her senior season. She pitched in 15 games last season, throwing a complete game in over half of her appearances. She won seven games and had an ERA of 3.08 as a junior.
She has 135 strikeouts in her career and has tossed over 230 innings.
“I chose Grace because it is very family-oriented and Christ-centered,” Middlebrooks said. “My athletic goals are to improve in every aspect of the game and to contribute in any way possible to the team.”
Middlebrooks is a member of the National Honor Society and the Huntington Youth Leadership. She hopes to major in sport management during her time at Grace.
Middlebrooks is the daughter of John and Mendy Middlebrooks and lives in Huntington, Ind.
KAITLYN HEFFNER
Kaitlyn Heffner hails from Greenwood High School. She played as a third baseman and outfielder.
In travel ball, she has competed with the Indiana Dreams for the last two years.
She played the first part of her high school career at Center Grove, helping the Trojans win the state championship in 2015 with a record of 29-2.
“I wanted to go to a smaller Christian college, and Grace fit like a glove,” Heffner said. “I’m excited to build lifelong friendships with my teammates and help break hitting records with the team.”
Heffner, who plans to study criminal justice, is the daughter of Mike and Kelly Heffner.
BRITNEY YOUNG
Britney Young is an All-Conference and All-City player from William Henry Harrison High School.
Young is an infielder/catcher from Evansville, Ind. She was First Team All-Conference as a junior after hitting .362 with 21 hits, 20 RBIs and 10 runs. Young demonstrated power at the plate with eight doubles and four home runs.
As a sophomore, she hit .362 with four doubles and five homers.
“I chose Grace College because of the Christian atmosphere, beautiful campus and great softball program and coaches,” Young said. “I’m ready to become a leader vocally and physically, work hard to improve myself and play the game of softball well as a team.”
Young is a well-rounded athlete who played volleyball and basketball for Harrison. On the volleyball team, Young amassed 222 kills, 69 aces, 87 blocks and 373 digs over her three-year career.
On the basketball team, Young is averaging 4.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game so far in her senior campaign.
Young is the daughter of Rodney and Beth Young. She is on track to graduate with academic honors.
RACHEL HARVEY
Harvey, from Southern Wells High School, becomes the first member of head coach Denny Duncan’s recruiting class next season. She is a three-time All-Conference performer and was the medalist at the 2016 ACAC Tournament.
“I chose Grace because I can grow spiritually, get a good education and play golf while still being close to home,” Harvey said. “I’m excited to join my new teammates and help the team qualify for the NCCAA Championships.”
Harvey tied for first at the Bi-County Tournament and was runner-up at the South Adams Invitational. She is a two-time Team MVP and a two-time winner of the Junior Golf Tour Sportsmanship award.
Harvey, who is the daughter of Steve and Dawn Harvey, also excels in the classroom as a Wells County Scholar. The Keystone, Ind., native plans to major in biology with a pre-dental focus and a minor in business.
