FREDERICK, Md.--Head softball coach Kate Barrick announced the addition of nine newcomers to the Hood College softball team who will join the Blazers this fall.

Barrick's recruiting class includes freshman shortstop Casey Dunn, sophomore first baseman/outfielder Kelly Gafner, freshman utility player Kandie Glenn, freshman utility player Taylor Grimmell, freshman catcher/third baseman Brittni Jones, freshman outfielder Ashley Lumpkins, freshman pitcher and utility player Erin McNally, freshman third baseman Rachael Potts and freshman pitcher/infielder Jordan Wolford.

"I am extremely excited about the talent, leadership potential and enthusiasm that will be entering Hood this season," said Barrick. "Our nine newcomers have experienced success on a number of levels and are eager to contribute to the already solid foundation we have established since joining the Capital Athletic Conference. I am excited about the future of Hood College softball."

Dunn was a four-year varsity letterwinner in both softball and soccer at Arthur L. Johnson Regional High School in Clark, N.J. A team captain for both programs, Dunn also earned the Crusaders' outstanding female athlete award four years in a row. A first team all-Mountain Valley Conference selection, Dunn was named athlete of the year and all-county by the Star-Ledger. She also led the Crusaders in on-base percentage and stolen bases for three seasons. In addition to her scholastic efforts, Dunn played for the New Jersey Pink Panthers and copped most valuable player plaudits three times.

Gafner is originally from Germantown and is transferring to Hood from Shepherd University. Gafner began her scholastic career at Watkins Mill High School where she was a first team all-county selection in 2006. She then transferred to Clarksburg High School where she served as a two-time varsity captain and MVP for the Coyotes. She set a school record for RBIs in a season with 41 in 2007. Gafner also served as the goalkeeper for Clarksburg's soccer team and earned the Coyote Award for the most improved athlete in 2007. Also a standout in the classroom, Gafner was named to the honor roll and garnered both the Scholar-Athlete Award and Minds in Motion Award.

Glenn was a team captain at Carlisle High School in Carlisle, Pa., and was recognized as a first team all-star by the Carlisle Sentinel as a junior. She played for the Carlisle Diamonds fastpitch squad and was a member of five league championship teams, in addition to traveling with the Shippensburg Xtreme.

Grimmell comes to Hood from Loudoun County High School and hails from Purceville, Va. She earned three varsity letters for the Raiders and was presented with the Coaches' Award following her senior season. She and Gafner both played for the Loudoun Storm fastpitch travel team.

Jones is a three-sport athlete from Randolph-Henry High School in Charlotte Courthouse, Va., who also started for the Lady Statesmen in basketball and volleyball. A first team all-district, all-region and all-state pick in softball, Jones led her squad to four straight regional appearances. On the basketball court this past winter, the Lady Statesmen went undefeated in the regular season (20-0) and earned a No. 2 state ranking by the Associated Press. Also an outstanding student, Jones was a member of the James River District all-academic team and was recognized as an honor graduate with an advanced diploma. In addition, she was involved with numerous extra-curricular activities such as Students Against Alcohol and Drug Use, the best buddies program for special education students and numerous Special Olympics events.

Lumpkins hails from nearby Mt. Airy and Linganore High School. She participated in softball and volleyball for the Lancers in addition to playing on both the Maryland Flames and the Heartbreakers travel teams.

Like Lumpkins, McNally is another local product who graduated from Walkersville High School. A two-time MVP for the Lions, she was lauded as a three-time all-area selection by the Frederick News-Post. She owned a 14-4 record in the circle last season, hit .467 and helped the Lions capture the 2009 Piedmont Conference championship. McNally leaves Walkersville as the all-time leader in games started, complete games and innings pitched and is second in career victories with 48. A Maryland Distinguished Scholar, she was inducted into the National Honor Society her sophomore year and racked up numerous other academic honors.

A two-time captain and four-year varsity starter at Northeastern Senior High School, Potts comes to Hood from Mt. Wolf, Pa. A two-time York Adams Interscholastic Athletic Association (YAIAA) all-star, she was also the recipient of the Fackler-Hower PIAA District III Sportsmanship Award and the E. Jerry Brooks PIAA District III Academic and Athletic Excellence Award this past spring. Potts also captained a pair of travel teams.

Wolford is a product of Clarke County High School and is a native of Bluemont, Va. She garnered Player of the Year accolades both in the Bull Run District and by the Winchester Star and was the recipient of the C.E. Bud Miley dedication Award. A force at the plate and in the circle, Wolford led the area with a 1.21 earned run average and saw her batting average climb over .400. A two-time first team all-district, all-region and all-area pitcher for the Eagles, she finished with 152 strikeouts in 92.2 innings pitched last spring, an average of nearly two per frame.

Hood finished fourth in the Capital Athletic Conference, won the program's first CAC playoff game and advanced to the quarterfinals of the CAC tournament last season.