(BOWIE, Md.) The Bowie State University softball program announced the early signings of three high school standouts from the class of 2011 to add talent and depth to an already strong current roster. The recruits who have committed to play softball at Bowie State are Sharde Alls of Winter Springs, Florida; Cassie Clayborne of Damascus, Maryland; and Raenelle Taylor of Aquasco, Maryland.

"I am extremely excited about the addition of this group of young ladies to our softball family” said 2010 CIAA Conference Coach of the Year and third-year Head Coach Darrell Toney. "They will join a young team with many of our players returning next season, so the emphasis was on quality not quantity. This class brings with it the strong character, talent and competitive spirit that is characteristic of Lady Bulldogs Softball”. Coach Toney also will continue to emphasize power, speed, and fundamental soundness and expects this class to play a key role in not only carrying on Bowie State's winning tradition but also in lifting the program to even greater success.

Sharde Alls, is a power hitter from Winter Springs High School in Winter Springs, Florida, where she is coached by Mark Huaman. She has helped lead the team to the Florida High School State Finals in 2010 and Semi-Finals in 2009. Sharde is a versatile player having played first base, second base, third base and in the outfield. Most recently she was a standout player for the Lake County Tigers Travel Softball program under Coach Robert Scott, and previously with a number of other club teams in the Orlando area where she has hit a total of 52 home runs while competing in several years of tournament play. She also won two Player of the Game awards at the 2009 Fast Nationals Softball Tournament. She is an honor student at Winter Springs High School who has also lettered in both competitive weightlifting and cheerleading. Sharde has a very strong bat with the potential to become one of the top power hitters in our conference, but she will also bring a tremendous competitive spirit to our program.

Cassie Clayborne is another strong student who received the Damascus High School (MD) Scholar Athlete Award two consecutive years. The Damascus native is a talented and natural athlete blessed with explosive speed on the base paths and tremendous range in the outfield. An outstanding leadoff batter and outfielder, Cassie has been named First Team All-Montgomery County as a centerfielder for Damascus High School and was selected as a captain of the Clarksburg Champions Travel Softball team coached by Rusty Dillon where she batted over .500 in 2009. She is a switch-hitting speedster with excellent bat control and the ability to hit to all fields. Cassie was our top outfield prospect possessing some of the best defensive skills and instincts we have seen and we expect her to come in and make an immediate impact on the field as a game changer and be a model student in the classroom. 

Raenelle Taylor is a local product from Gwynn Park High School and hails from Aquasco, Maryland. At Gwynn Park she has started as a middle infielder since her freshman year and was the 2008 Rookie of the Year. Raenelle has been a major contributor to Gwynn Park's recent softball success as they captured their conference championship in 2009 and 2010, and the 3A county championship in 2010. She was named to the 2009 Washington Post All-Prince Georges County Team and the 2010 Washington Post All-Area First Team. She has also sharpened her offensive and defensive skills traveling with the Washington Senators Select Softball Program coached by Stan Kolbe. She is a solid performer with plenty of big game experience and has the ability to hit from both sides of the plate. Raenelle's knowledge of the game and strong work ethic and attitude will enable her to make a difference wearing the Black and Gold. 

All three players were highly recruited by other well respected programs and will add the talent and depth needed for the Lady Bulldogs Softball program to be successful at the next level. “We are excited to announce these early signings, and we are still hoping to sign one or two more players from the class of 2011,” says Coach Toney, who feels confident that this class will bring a great deal of excitement and energy to the 2011-2012 softball season.