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Chambersburg senior pitcher Emily Estep was a prized recruit for Division II Shippensburg, the type of player Lady Raider coach Bob Brookens said can lead a pitching staff.
"We were delighted when she signed with us," Brookens said. "She was our No. 1 recruit at the top of our list and we were strongly after her.
"We were in dire need of an outstanding pitcher and Emily fits the bill. We expect her to walk in here and be a dominating force. She can't do anything but keep getting better because of her work ethic."
Greencastle-Antrim senior second baseman Katy Bobbitt couldn't pass up the chance to play Division I softball, finalizing her decision on Tuesday to go to Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Md.
"It is the best reward, really," Bobbitt said. "There is nothing more I could ask for."
Estep became the Trojans' ace in 2009, posting a 15-3 record with a 0.85 earned run average. She helped Chambersburg to a Mid Penn Conference crown, a spot in the District 3 semifinals and a PIAA Tournament appearance.
During one stretch, Estep allowed only three earned runs in 101 innings.
"She is going to be outstanding for them," Chambersburg coach Harvey Staver said. "She does have some Division I ability, but she'll be very comfortable at the Division II level."
Shippensburg finished 26-19 last year and competes in the PSAC Eastern Division. The
"It just fit me perfectly. It sounds corny, but that's how it is," Estep said. "I've been around them since I started playing softball at their summer camps. I know coach Brookens and he is a great person and a great coach. I already know most of the girls on the team."
Overall, Estep finished with 184 strikeouts and just 11 walks and garnered All-State Class AAA honorable mention honors.
"She improved her speed by two miles per hour and that was our goal for her," Staver said. "Just the fact that she got faster made her other pitches more effective."
Estep said, "I feel I still have a lot to work on. I'm going to work on my arm speed to get up to the collegiate level. I have a lot of work to do."
Bobbitt, a MPC Capital Division and P.O. first-team all-star, made all the right plays for Greencastle-Antrim last spring during its run to the PIAA Class AAA championship.
Her statistics -- .305 batting average, 25 hits, 16 runs -- weren't flashy in 2009, but she is the exactly the type of player every team needs, according to G-A coach Jamie Richardson.
For example, in the state title game, the second baseman turned a key double play by throwing behind a runner at second base after an out at first.
Her relay from the outfield also nailed a runner at the plate in the ninth inning. The Blue Devils (25-3) scored the winning run in the bottom half of the inning.
"They are going to get a quality player," Richardson said. "She's a tough-nosed kid who is going to give 100 percent every time. She's a great competitor and she does a lot of things well. She's a great hitter and bunter and you can't ask for a better defender."
Mount St. Mary's went 18-30 in softball last year under coach Larry Alvis. The Mount plays in the Northeast Conference.
Bobbitt, who also considered Messiah College and Shippensburg, said she fell in love with the program on her visit.
"It had everything I was looking for," said Bobbitt, who hopes to major in physical therapy. "I got there and fell in love with the softball program and the fact that it was close to home.
"I also liked the title of playing Division I. It will make me work harder for my position."
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Joel Rineer may be reached at 262-4819 or jrineer@publicopinionnews.com.
