LEXINGTON, Ky. ? University of Kentucky head softball coach Eileen Schmidt has announced the addition of Jennifer Young. The Radcliff, Ky., native will join the Wildcats for the 2007 season.

Young is the ace of the North Hardin pitching staff with a 19-2 record this season. The senior righthander has a team-best 0.35 ERA and has struck out 240 batters in 137 innings of work. In the 20-team Ballard tournament earlier this season, Young compiled a 5-0 record as she blanked No. 1 ranked Greenwood, 8-0, and avenged her only loss of the year by no-hitting Grayson County, 1-0. In that five game stretch, Young surrendered just two runs and threw four shutouts. In 34 innings of work, she allowed 12 hits and struck out 62 batters.

Young has been named to the 17th District All-Tournament team three times and is a two-time member of the All-Fifth Region All-Tournament Team. Her North Hardin Trojans are ranked No. 3 in the state according to the most recent poll of the Kentucky Softball Coaches Association.

?Jennifer has had and continues to have a great year at North Hardin,? said Schmidt. ?She has great movement and continues to improve on every outing. We are excited to have her join us here at the University of Kentucky and she will help us continue to build this program the right way.?

Young joins Audrey Meyer, Molly Johnson, Amber Matousek, Natalie Smith and Destinee Mordecai in the 2007 signing class.