Young Inks Eight on National Signing Day

DURHAM, N.C. – Duke softball head coach Marissa Young announced the signing of eight new additions to the Blue Devil program on Wednesday during National Signing Day, with the class checking in at No. 16 in the nation, according to SoftballAmerica.

The class marked Young's seventh top 25 recruiting class in the last nine seasons. Joining the Blue Devils next season will be Kyndall Banks, Sienna Caro, Kayla Fletcher, Eva Lantagne, Khamil Martin, Laci Martinez, Jordynn Parnell and Kharisma White.

Kayla Fletcher
Position: Outfield
Extra Innings Position Ranking: #22 (#2 in Northeast Region)
Height: 5-9
Hometown/High School: Harrisburg, Pa. / Central Dauphin High School
Career Highlights/Honors:

2025 PennLive Softball Player of the Year, leading her team to the PIAA 6A championship
Set the Central Dauphin High School single-season hits record
Three-time All-District and two-time All-State honoree
National Honor Society Treasurer, Class Council Treasurer and College Board National Recognition Scholar

Coach Young's Thoughts: "Kayla is a dynamic, five-tool player who impacts the game in every way. She covers serious ground in the outfield, is a triple threat at the plate, and a relentless force on the bases. Her energy is contagious, and we can't wait to see her don the Blue Devil uniform!"

Why Kayla chose Duke: "I chose Duke because I knew it's exactly where I was meant to be. When I stepped on campus for my unofficial visit in 2024, the coaches and players showed me what being a Blue Devil was truly about. The competitive environment on the field and in the classroom made me sure that Duke was where I was supposed to be."

Laci Martinez
Position: Outfield
Height: 5-7
Hometown/High School: Columbus, Ga. / IMG Academy / Northside High School
Career Highlights/Honors:

Selected to the 2025 Georgia Athletic Coached Association Junior All-Star Team
Set the Northside High School single-season doubles record with 14 in 2024
Two-time First Team All-State and All-Region
Three-year member of National Honor Society and the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists

Coach Young's Thoughts: "Laci brings a powerful and consistent bat to the lineup. She's proven she can hit for both average and power, with the ability to change the game in an instant. What sets her apart is her advanced mental approach — she's grown into a complete hitter who thrives in pressure situations. Laci's presence at the plate will be a major boost to our offense, and we can't wait to see her make her mark as a Blue Devil."

Why Laci chose Duke: "I chose Duke because of the coaching staff, players, team culture and overall environment. If just felt like the right fit for me both on and off the field."

Kyndall Banks
Position: Infield
Extra Innings Position Ranking: #56 (#20 in Southeast Region)
Height: 5-5
Hometown/High School: Elizabeth City, N.C. / Gates County Senior High School
Career Highlights/Honors:

Led the team in batting average (.485), on base percentage (.679) and stolen bases (6) as a sophomore
Competed with Starz Gold National travel team, posting a .383 batting average and recording 20 home runs in 2024
Two-time All-Conference and All-State selection
Two-year letterwinner

Coach Young's Thoughts: "Kyndall is one of the grittiest and hardest-working players you'll find. She commands the defense at shortstop and hits at an elite level. A fierce competitor who thrives against the best in the country, Kyndall is ready to make an immediate impact at Duke. We're excited to have another highly talented North Carolina player call Durham home."

Why Kyndall chose Duke: "Duke is in my home state and I have always been a fan of the school. Academically, it does not get any better than Duke. It checked every box for me."

Sienna Caro
Position: Infield
Extra Innings Position Ranking: #75 (#15 in Southwest Region)
Height: 5-6
Hometown/High School: Phoenix, Ariz. / Pinnacle High School
Career Highlights/Honors:

Named the 2024 Offensive Player of the Year during her sophomore season and 2025 Defensive Player of the Year as a junior
All-Region First Team selection
Set the Pinnacle High School single-season RBI record with 61 as a sophomore
National Honor Society member and four-year Academic Achievement Award winner

Coach Young's Thoughts: "Siena's left-handed bat brings a dynamic element to our lineup. An athletic and skilled second baseman, she adds valuable experience from competing at a high level. We're excited to see her instincts, competitiveness, and work ethic shine as she makes her mark as a Blue Devil."

Why Sienna chose Duke: "I think Duke is the best of both worlds. The team atmosphere is exactly what I was looking for in a program. The coaches are also amazing and care about their players as people."

Khamil Martin
Position: Infield
Extra Innings Position Ranking: #155 (#34 in Midwest Region)
Height: 5-5
Hometown/High School: Ironton, Ohio / Ironton High School
Career Highlights/Honors:

2025 Ohio Valley Conference Softball Offensive Player of the Year
Three-time All-Conference and All-District selection, All-Ohio Honorable Mention honoree in 2025
Four-year letterwinner in both softball and volleyball
Member of the National Honor Society and four-year Assistant Student Body Representative

Coach Young's Thoughts: "Khamil is an explosive athlete with a tremendously high ceiling. Her combination of power at the plate and quickness in the field makes her a true dual threat, capable of impacting the game on both sides of the ball. Defensively, she brings exceptional range and athleticism to the middle infield. Khamil's competitiveness and desire to keep improving set her apart, and we're excited to watch her continue to develop and make her mark in a Blue Devil uniform."

Why Khamil chose Duke: "I chose Duke because of the wonderful staff and softball program that they have, the welcoming community and the amazing education I can receive."

Eva Lantagne
Position: Pitcher/Outfield
Height: 5-7
Hometown/High School: Conroe, Texas / Conroe High School
Career Highlights/Honors:

Two-time District Pitcher of the Year and Conroe High School softball MVP
Holds the Conroe High School single-season and career strikeout records
Named The Courier of Montgomery County's Pitcher of the Year as a freshman in 2023, leading Conroe to its first ever district championship
Serves as the National Honor Society Co-President, achieved A-Honor Roll (4.0 GPA) all four years, two-time AP Scholar Award recipient

Coach Young's Thoughts: "Eva is a talented two-way player from Texas who brings elite command and a fearless presence in the circle. Competing for one of the nation's top travel programs, she's proven her ability to attack hitters with precision and keep offenses off balance. When she's not in the circle, Eva's athleticism and versatility shine in the outfield and at the plate. Her competitiveness, poise, and all-around skill set will make her a key piece of our program."

Why Eva chose Duke: "I chose Duke because of the high-level academics as well as the very competitive athletic programs. It is the best of both worlds for a student-athlete because you have access to a great education as well as the highest level of competition in college athletics. I also really appreciate the coaching staff at Duke and the values that they have built the program on. I also love the campus and location as well."

Jordynn Parnell
Position: Pitcher
Height: 5-8
Hometown/High School: Hope Mills, N.C. / Southview High School
Career Highlights/Honors:

2023 PGF 18U Premier National Championship Runner-Up
Named the 2025 Pitcher of the Year and 2023 Player of the Year by 910Preps
Three-time First Team All-State

Coach Young's Thoughts: "Jordynn is an elite arm in the circle who thrives in big moments. A proven competitor with national championship experience, she's ready to carry a major load for Duke in the circle. Jordynn natural leader with an ultra-competitive edge, Jordynn embodies toughness and pride — and we're thrilled to see her represent her home state of North Carolina."

Why Jordynn chose Duke: "I chose Duke because of the diversity and family dynamics. Duke checked every box I had on my list from education, sports, faith and family."

Kharisma White
Position: Infield/Utility
Height: 5-1
Hometown/High School: Bonaire, Ga. / Veterans High School
Career Highlights/Honors:

Three-time First Team All-Region selection
Competed with the Georgia Impact for six years, posting a .388 batting average in 2024-2025.
Four-year letterwinner at Veterans High School

Coach Young's Thoughts: "Kharisma brings serious offensive firepower to the plate. She not only hits for power but also demonstrates an extremely high softball IQ and the special ability to deliver in clutch moments. Having competed at a high level, she's ready to bring her energy, athleticism, and go-getter mentality to our lineup."

Why Kharisma chose Duke: "I chose Duke because of the academics and culture of the team and university. I chose Duke because of the level of expectation Coach Young instills in her players."

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Young Inks Eight on National Signing Day

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