Semoball

Kelly's Hughes signs to continue softball career at Missouri Baptist

Kelly's Kate Hughes signs her National Letter of Intent to Missouri Baptist, on Thursday, March 18, 2021, at Thomas W. Kelly High School, in Benton, Mo.
Alex Wallner/Standard Democrat

BENTON, Mo. — She can take a deep breath.

After nearly a five-month wait, Kelly senior Kate Hughes signed on the dotted line to continue her softball career. She is attending Missouri Baptist in the fall, and to her, it was the right place all along.

"Whenever I went, I felt like that was where I was supposed to be, and I felt comfortable there,” Hughes said. “The campus is very nice, and they have a nice facility for softball. I like that the class sizes are small. They also have a very good education program."

Hughes finished her senior season batting .396 with nine doubles, three triples, 16 RBIs, and had a .417 average with runners in scoring position. She also struck out seven times as the leadoff hitter and stole 11 bases.

Overall, for head coach Melanie Heuring, it was all about "fit," and she believes that Hughes found it.

"Kate's very serious about softball. I knew she always wanted to play in college,” Heuring said. “So, to find the right fit for her and to take the time to make sure she found the right fit was very important to her. I'm glad she's going where she feels like she can contribute from Day 1 in that program.”

Having players continue their softball careers is a feather in the cap for the program as well.

Hughes joins Alaney Moore (Three Rivers College) as the two Lady Hawks to continue their softball careers this year.

"It's always a good day when your seniors can sign somewhere and continue their softball career when they've worked so hard the last four years to achieve that goal,” Heuring said. “It makes you proud as a coach, and it's always a good day for our program.”

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