WINONA LAKE, Ind. - Head coach Nora Reece has announced the signings of four players for the 2017-18 season.

Dori Knight, Hannah Middlebrooks, Kaitlyn Heffner and Britney Young have committed to play softball for Grace next year as part of Reece's first recruiting class.

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.

Heffner's travel softball career has included playing for some of the top travel teams in the state including the Indy Edge, Indiana Magic Gold, LIDS Indiana Dreams and most recently the Indy Dreams led by Craig Bell. She has a career travel softball batting average of .389 playing a key part on several winning tournament teams. Her highlight was playing in a NSA National Championship game.

 Heffner played JV and some varsity games for Center Grove High School as a freshman and sophomore.

"I chose Grace after my first visit there. I visited other colleges and everything kept pointing back to Grace. It felt like family and had a great Christian environment. The coaches, girls and athletic director from Grace all made us feel like family. I love that I will get to openly share my faith on a Christ-centered softball team," Heffner said. "I am ready to grow as a student, in my faith and as a player. I am excited to contribute wherever they need me."

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.