Local Trio to play in All-Star event

 Recent graduate Bethany Hensley will play for the East Senior Softball Team Saturday when the 17^th Annual Kentucky East-West Series is played at the University of Louisville.

Hensley had an outstanding season and it was one of her goals to play in the annual summer series. “I am looking forward to it. I know there will be some outstanding athletes up there,” Hensley said.

“Getting to play with great softball players across the state will be a lot of fun and a great experience,” she said.

Hensley earned her spot on the 18-team roster after leading the Lady Redhounds to a record 20-win season and runner-up finish in the 50^th District.

“I think we had the miracle season,” Hensley said. “No one believed that we would have 20 wins. That was one of my goals as a senior. I ask my team if we could do it and we did. They followed me throughout the season. I had their backs and they had mine.”

“I feel like we exceeded more than a lot of people thought we would have,” she said.

Hensley signed with St. Catharine College of the Mid-South Conference. “I am really looking forward to playing at the next level and playing for four more years,” Hensley said.

“I am excited about meeting new people at the games this weekend,” she said. “I know the Corbin girls have had a good tradition playing in the all-star games and I want to continue that.”

To play at the next level, Hensley knows she will have to work hard over the summer to be prepared for the beginning of her college career. “I need to work on a little bit of everything,” said added.

“I met coach (Holly) Smith at a softball camp and we have talked about me playing there for the last two years,” Hensley said. “I went up for a visit and watched her team play and I really like how they are very team built. I talked to some of their players and I really like how it is more of a baseball/softball kind of school.”

Corbin Coach Chris Hart called Hensley his “quarterback on the field”.

“Her leadership was strong and she was the most senior player on the team,” Hart said. “She controlled the defensive game for us.”

From the plate, Hensley hit .307 with 31 hits including nine doubles. She had an on-base average of .417 and a slugging percentage of .446.

Ashley Lindsay

Lindsay, a senior at Whitley County is getting a second chance to represent her school, district and 13^th region as a member of the East Senior Team.

“I got the Mark O’Brien Award last year and met a lot of new people. It was really fun,” Lindsay said. “I hope it turns out the same this year, meet new people and see how it goes.”

Lindsay played in the outfield during last year’s game was a designated runner when she was not in the field.

Lindsay had divided time on the mound with former pitcher Caitlyn Walden since she was a freshman, but got to play centerfield for the Lady Colonels most of her junior season. “I love playing in the outfield,” Lindsay said.

But, she was moved to the mound after Walden graduated and didn’t see the outfield this year, which she says she missed. “I would rather play outfield because I feel more comfortable playing with people and I know there are better pitchers out there that can spin the ball more and has more movement than I do.”

“I feel like I have more affect on the team playing in the outfield,” she said.

Lindsay said she was satisfied with her adjustment back to the mound for her senior season. “I had to pitch before and I knew I had to step up for my team because we had a lot of young people.”

She is uncertain about her future. “I don’t know if I want to play ball or where I want to go to school,” Lindsay said. Alice Lloyd, Union College and the University of the Cumberlands have talked to Lindsay about playing for their respective programs.

“I just don’t know if I want to play college ball,” Lindsay said. “It would be pretty awesome, but it could be pretty hard and I want to do more on my academics.”

“Ashley is one of our better players and is well deserving to be on the all-star team,” Whitley County Coach Amanda Moses said. “She works hard and never misses practice.”

“Ashley is a true team player, she made the adjustment to pitching all the time and pitched well. She had a couple of games where she struggled, but I think she adjusted well and stepped up and did what was asked of her.”

“I think she did a great job, but her love is in the outfield,” Moses said.

Jadon Dople

Jadon Dople, a junior catcher for the Lady Colonels, is the only county junior to be named to the East All-Stars.

Dople has no fear when she comes to throwing out runners on the corners. “I love to try and get those runners out. A lot of time it seems to take them by surprise that I would throw it down,” Dople said.

“That is one of my favorite things as a catcher,” Dople said. “I have a few things I want to work on and that’s what I plan to do over the summer and during my senior year. I want to get a scholarship and I want to get much stronger.”

“I think hitting is my strong point right now,” Dople said. “I am a real confident hitter and if I get comfortable I will hit four out of five.”

Dople is excited to be making the trip to Louisville and play at Ulmer Stadium. “I expect the competition to be tough and I expect everyone to have their “A” game going. I hope to get better by learning new experiences and playing against some of the state’s best players,” she said.

Dople hopes the weekend gives her a chance to be seen by the college coaches around the state. “I would love to play college softball.”

Dople said she loves the competition of the game. Her best memories are playing rivals like Corbin, South Laurel and Williamsburg. “I think it is easy to get up for your rivals and I had some of my best games against those teams.”

“Jadon didn’t miss a practice, not even one day of conditioning,” Moses said. “She is just a worker. I am very proud of her. I think that she should be there playing in the all-star game.”

“Jadon is in the moment. If she takes a notion to throw the ball down if there is a runner on first or third she will.” Moses said. “She is the smartest player on the team. She is always thinking about what she is going to do.”
“Jadon will be one of my best players next year and it is going to hurt to lose her,” Moses said.