Marshall University Athletics
Softball Announces Three Signings of Crews, Darnley and Godfrey
11/10/2021 8:14:00 PM | Softball
Will join Herd in fall of 2022
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall softball head coach Megan Smith Lyon announced the signing of three players for the incoming freshmen class of 2022-23 on Wednesday.
The new additions to the Herd Family are Aaliyah Crews, Abby Darnley and Brianna Godfrey.
"We are thrilled to welcome these three young women and their families to the Marshall Softball Family," coach Smith Lyon said. "They are all extremely talented players who will make an impact on the field, but they are also great students and quality people who will add to our culture in a positive way. We are excited that they are now Daughters of Marshall."
Crews is a utility player from Loxahatchee, Fla. She has been starring for Palm Beach Gardens High School and helped lead her team to three district championships. Crews hit three home runs during one of the District Championship games to help lead to the title. She hit .413 her junior season with 31 hits, 30 runs scored, 25 RBI, 10 doubles, four home runs and two triples. Crews sported a .516 on base percentage and slugged .760. Leading into her senior campaign, Crews has hit .360 in her high school career with 58 hits, 56 runs scored, 43 RBI, 15 doubles, five homers and two triples. She was named Top 10 in Palm Beach County, First Team Palm Beach Post and Second Team All-State.
"I chose Marshall because I've always wanted to be somewhere different then where I live," Crews said of deciding to sign with the Herd. "And to be a part of a big family."
"Aaliyah brings, athleticism, power, and versatility to our team," coach Smith Lyon said. "She plays the game with passion and is an explosive hitter with the ability to play both infield and outfield. We can't wait to see what she does in a Marshall jersey."
Darnley is a catcher and infielder from Eleanor, W.Va., just 41 miles down the road from Huntington. She has been starring for Buffalo High School, the alma mater of Ali Burdette a member of the softball class of 2019, as well as the Beverly Bandits travel ball team. So far in her high school career, Darnley is batting .570 with a .620 on base percentage. Darnley has slugged 17 home runs, driven in 62 runs and has ripped off 45 stolen bases. She is a two-time First Team All-State and First Team All-Kanawha Valley. Darnley was honored as a First Team All-State Captain in 2021 after leading a young Buffalo squad through the year, batting well over .600.
"I love the campus and the family environment of Marshall," Darnley said of choosing to sign with the Herd. "I also have a good connection with the coaches and the players. I also like that I am close to home and I know the community around me."
"We are so glad that Abby decided to stay home and be a part The Herd," coach Smith Lyon said. "Abby has such a great presence both as a hitter and as a catcher. She is a versatile defensive player who can contribute at multiple positions, and we anticipate her adding even more power to our line-up."
Godfrey is a pitcher and a hitter from Deerfield Beach, Fla., just about 40 miles south of where Crews grew up. Godfrey has been starring for Coral Springs Charter School as well as the Tampa Mustangs Travel ball team. In her high school career, Godfrey has a 41-5 record, a 0.73 ERA, 405 strikeouts, 19 complete games, nine shutouts, six no-hitters, two perfect games in 248 innings pitched. At the plate she is batting .468 with 87 runs scored, 71 RBI, 22 doubles, six triples and four home runs. Godfrey has piled up the accolades including three-times All-State, three-time Miami Herald All-County, the 2019 5A Pitcher of the Year, and the 2021 Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald 2A-4A Pitcher of the Year. She has helped lead her school to four State Championships with goals of a fifth in her senior year.
"Choosing a college is a very difficult decision," Godfrey said of signing with Marshall. "I knew what I wanted in a university and Marshall had it all! The coaching staff has created a family environment that made me feel comfortable immediately. I am excited to be part of a program that I can help make an impact."
"We are so excited to welcome Bri and her family to Marshall," coach Smith Lyon said. "Bri is an elite athlete who approaches the game with a championship mindset and a blue-collar work ethic. She is a fierce competitor who will make an impact both as a pitcher and a hitter."
For all of the latest information on the Marshall Softball team, follow the Herd on Twitter @HerdSB, Facebook at Marshall University Softball and on www.herdzone.com.
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules, and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS or Android!
The new additions to the Herd Family are Aaliyah Crews, Abby Darnley and Brianna Godfrey.
"We are thrilled to welcome these three young women and their families to the Marshall Softball Family," coach Smith Lyon said. "They are all extremely talented players who will make an impact on the field, but they are also great students and quality people who will add to our culture in a positive way. We are excited that they are now Daughters of Marshall."
Crews is a utility player from Loxahatchee, Fla. She has been starring for Palm Beach Gardens High School and helped lead her team to three district championships. Crews hit three home runs during one of the District Championship games to help lead to the title. She hit .413 her junior season with 31 hits, 30 runs scored, 25 RBI, 10 doubles, four home runs and two triples. Crews sported a .516 on base percentage and slugged .760. Leading into her senior campaign, Crews has hit .360 in her high school career with 58 hits, 56 runs scored, 43 RBI, 15 doubles, five homers and two triples. She was named Top 10 in Palm Beach County, First Team Palm Beach Post and Second Team All-State.
"I chose Marshall because I've always wanted to be somewhere different then where I live," Crews said of deciding to sign with the Herd. "And to be a part of a big family."
"Aaliyah brings, athleticism, power, and versatility to our team," coach Smith Lyon said. "She plays the game with passion and is an explosive hitter with the ability to play both infield and outfield. We can't wait to see what she does in a Marshall jersey."
Darnley is a catcher and infielder from Eleanor, W.Va., just 41 miles down the road from Huntington. She has been starring for Buffalo High School, the alma mater of Ali Burdette a member of the softball class of 2019, as well as the Beverly Bandits travel ball team. So far in her high school career, Darnley is batting .570 with a .620 on base percentage. Darnley has slugged 17 home runs, driven in 62 runs and has ripped off 45 stolen bases. She is a two-time First Team All-State and First Team All-Kanawha Valley. Darnley was honored as a First Team All-State Captain in 2021 after leading a young Buffalo squad through the year, batting well over .600.
"I love the campus and the family environment of Marshall," Darnley said of choosing to sign with the Herd. "I also have a good connection with the coaches and the players. I also like that I am close to home and I know the community around me."
"We are so glad that Abby decided to stay home and be a part The Herd," coach Smith Lyon said. "Abby has such a great presence both as a hitter and as a catcher. She is a versatile defensive player who can contribute at multiple positions, and we anticipate her adding even more power to our line-up."
Godfrey is a pitcher and a hitter from Deerfield Beach, Fla., just about 40 miles south of where Crews grew up. Godfrey has been starring for Coral Springs Charter School as well as the Tampa Mustangs Travel ball team. In her high school career, Godfrey has a 41-5 record, a 0.73 ERA, 405 strikeouts, 19 complete games, nine shutouts, six no-hitters, two perfect games in 248 innings pitched. At the plate she is batting .468 with 87 runs scored, 71 RBI, 22 doubles, six triples and four home runs. Godfrey has piled up the accolades including three-times All-State, three-time Miami Herald All-County, the 2019 5A Pitcher of the Year, and the 2021 Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald 2A-4A Pitcher of the Year. She has helped lead her school to four State Championships with goals of a fifth in her senior year.
"Choosing a college is a very difficult decision," Godfrey said of signing with Marshall. "I knew what I wanted in a university and Marshall had it all! The coaching staff has created a family environment that made me feel comfortable immediately. I am excited to be part of a program that I can help make an impact."
"We are so excited to welcome Bri and her family to Marshall," coach Smith Lyon said. "Bri is an elite athlete who approaches the game with a championship mindset and a blue-collar work ethic. She is a fierce competitor who will make an impact both as a pitcher and a hitter."
For all of the latest information on the Marshall Softball team, follow the Herd on Twitter @HerdSB, Facebook at Marshall University Softball and on www.herdzone.com.
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules, and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS or Android!
---HerdZone.com---
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