It was an incredible–and unexpected–ending to a story that could have turned out quite differently.
Exciting things have occurred in the sporting world this past year.
The Cubs finally won.
The Patriots won … again.
Northwestern made it to the NCAA men’s basketball tournament for the very first time.
Out of these accomplishments films are made. It happens over and over again.
That proviso applies equally well to people and events in out-of-the-way places. Few of us are witnesses. Most of us never know.
Courtesy: The Gleaner
Take the story of Evyn Hendrickson, a softball pitcher who plays for the Union County (KY) Bravettes. I think her story is fitting of big-screen production.
Hendrickson has a scorching fastball and a slider with a vicious bite. That arm propelled Union County to three consecutive district titles. It also attracted the attention of college scouts.
On April 13 of this year she signed a letter-of-intent to play at Division II Kentucky Wesleyan College. It was one of the most memorable days of her life.
But who could have possibly known that the very next day–April 14–would also be remarkable … but not remembered fondly.
A line drive hit Hendrickson in the face. The injury was severe enough to have her evacuated by air to a regional hospital.
Her health–not her softball career–was now paramount. Many locals thought she wouldn’t be able to finish out her senior season. Some even thought her softball career was over.
They were wrong.
Four weeks later–and after undergoing reconstructive facial surgery–Hendrickson returned to the circle. And, get this: she faced that very same team again! The Bravettes lost that game, but Hendrickson was able to get back her game legs before the high school playoff season began.
I expected to see a good old fashioned pitching duel. It was certainly that!
Webster County had a dominant pitcher, too. Sophomore Karlie Keeney has the 10th-best ERA in Kentucky at 1.36 (as of 5/27). Not surprisingly, colleges are showing interest in her, including UK, Kentucky’s flagship state university.
I got a chance to watch this game firsthand as Webster County’s softball play-by-play announcer. And here’s what happened.
Through 10 innings the teams were deadlocked, 0-0. Both pitchers were overpowering: Keeney took a no-hitter into the 8th and Hendrickson recorded 18 strikeouts.
Then, in the top of the 11th inning, Hendrickson took matters into her own hands.
She drove in what turned out to be the winning run. She made sure of that by fanning the side in the bottom of the inning.
Courtesy: The Gleaner
The district title came with the last out–her fourth in four years of high school.
What an incredible–and unexpected–ending to a story that could have turned out quite differently!
Here’s a player that could have suffered a serious head injury. Instead she returned to the mound–pitching as well as she always had and batting in the winning run to win a championship.
I agree with my broadcast partner, who said: “This is what they make movies about.”
He’s right!
Evyn Hendrickson’s remarkable story is definitely movie-worthy.
