UNC Pembroke Softball Signs Infielder and Pitcher to NLI's

PEMBROKE, N.C. -- UNC Pembroke head softball coach Steve Johnson has announced the signing of Martika Elmore and Lynn Grantham to national letters of intent for the 2007-08 academic year.

“These 2 signings put the finishing touches on our biggest and strongest recruiting class since I've been here,” said Johnson. “We have added athletes and great players at every position and there will be a lot of position battles in practice.”

Elmore, a native of Fayetteville, N.C., pitched for coach Johnny Taylor at Pine Forest High School. Her senior year she was named the Fayetteville Observer’s All-Cape Fear region player of the year after earning a 21-5 record on the season with a 0.34 earned run average and 310 strikeouts.

She was named Pine Forest’s Most Valuable Player, first team All-Conference and All-Region her junior and senior seasons. PFHS also won their conference championship in both of her final two years.

“Martika was one of the top pitchers in the state this season and will be a great addition to our staff,” Johnson said. “She is a strike out pitcher and will be counted on for some big innings right away.”

Her junior season she tallied 247 strikeouts with a 1.03 ERA and was named MVP of her conference tournament. The Trojans won their conference tournament her junior year.

The daughter of Barbara and Boris Elmore, Martika plans to major in business at UNCP. She has three sisters, Christina (23), Jenifer (20) and Blair (15), and two brothers, Boris (21) and Arthur (19).

Grantham, a native of Goldsboro, N.C., attended Southern Wayne High School in Dubley, N.C. She played first base for coach Brad Matthews and the Saints at SWHS. During her senior year she was named All-District for her efforts on the year.

“Lynn is a strong lefty first baseman that will give us great depth at that position,” added Johnson. “She is a solid contact hitter and the type of kid who is going to come in here and work hard right away for us.”

During her senior year she batted .283 with a .743 on-base percentage and 10 runs batted in. She also was perfect in the field her final season earning a 1.000 fielding percentage with 55 assists and 33 put outs.

Grantham also played basketball, golf and tennis at SWHS earning MVP honors in basketball during her high school career. She graduated with honors from Southern Wayne and was an Academic Scholar.

The daughter of Debra and George Grantham, Lynn is undecided on a major. She has two older brothers, Brook and Blake (32), and one sister, Leigh (21).

“We are looking forward to getting everyone in here in the fall and getting things started,” said Johnson. “We have a great mix of speed, power, slappers, great pitching and really athletic defenders. It should be an exciting season for the Braves.”