PEORIA, Ill. ? Second-year softball head coach Buddy Foster added a pair of recruits for next year's roster, receiving National Letters of Intent from pitcher/utility Katie Dennis (Gilbert, Ariz./Mesquite) and infielder Lauren Kelly (Lawrence, Kan./Lawrence) during the recent spring signing period.

A first-team all-state selection by Arizona Tribune and honorable mention all-state pick by the Arizona Republic as a sophomore, Dennis helped Mesquite High School to a region championship in 2005. The left-handed pitcher earned first-team all-region honors as a sophomore.

"Katie is a lefty pitcher who will come in and help us right away," Foster said. "Not only does she help add depth to the pitching staff, but she will provide a different look for hitters. She plays for one of the top travel teams in the country year in and year out with the Arizona Hotshots Gold organization and has played against a lot of strong competition which helped prepare her for the college game. We are excited about Katie's decision to be a Bradley Brave."

Dennis took home first-team all-region and honorable mention all-state plaudits as a freshman, helping the Wildcats to a region championship and also earned team rookie of the year honors. She joins Elizabeth Harmon (1999-2000) as the only Arizona products to sign with the Braves.

A four-year starter, Kelly will likely compete for playing time in the middle infield. As a junior she hit .280 with nine runs scored, earning honorable mention Sunflower League honors at third base. She moved to third base following her sophomore year, playing her first two seasons of varsity softball as the team's starting catcher. Kelly hit .269 as a sophomore with seven runs scored in 20 games.

"Lauren is someone we feel can come in and make an impact offensively for us right away," Foster added. "I look for her to come in and compete for immediate playing time in the infield. We are very excited to have someone of her abilities join our team. She comes from an organization (the Kansas City Pride), that I have a great deal of respect for because of the way they teach the game."

The team captain as a senior, she also earned three letters in tennis and was named the tennis team's MVP as a senior. Kelly is also a member of the Kansas City Pride, and will join current sophomore Alycia Bachkora as current Kansas City Pride products on the Braves roster.

"These two individuals, in addition to the three that signed in the fall, make up a recruiting class that I am very excited about," Foster stated. "(Assistant Coach) Renee (Enos) worked extremely hard on this group and I believe they will make a strong impact on this program in the coming years."

Dennis and Kelly joined a recruiting class that includes three other signees from the fall in center fielder Jess Boeger (St. Louis, Mo./Affton), catcher Denise Jilka (Eureka, Mo./Eureka) and utility player Katelyn Kegley (Pekin, Ill./Pekin).