Softball

6 storylines to note ahead of the 2024 college softball season

February 7, 2024 by Tara S

KAITLYN SCHMIDT | NCAA

Opening day for college softball is Thursday, Feb. 8 — here are the hottest topics to gear your attention towards this season.

Jordy Bahl’s impact on Nebraska

The Papillion, Nebraska, native has taken the 450-mile trip north to the Cornhusker State to pitch her junior season close to home. The Most Outstanding Player of the 2023 tournament announced her departure from Oklahoma in mid-June of last year, not even two days after the Sooners held a campus-wide celebration for their most recent title. Jordy Bahl amassed a 44-2 record over 288.2 IP with a 1.00 ERA and 397 strikeouts as led the Sooners to consecutive national championships in her first two seasons there.

In Lincoln, Bahl will join forces with Sarah Harness and Kaylin Kinney in the circle, as well as play alongside superstar shortstop Billie Andrews and utility transfer Peyton Cody. As the lone Big Ten player on the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year preseason watchlist, Bahl is projected to make a tumultuous ripple in the Nebraska softball legacy. She’ll likely be at the plate and playing more defense at Nebraska, and thus, the best of Bahl may still be yet to come.

Texas returns its core

The depth of Texas’ roster cannot be understated. The Longhorns return every core position player except outfielder Alyssa Popelka and 1B/flex player Courtney Day, who transferred to Washington and Ole Miss, respectively. Along with taking on Notre Dame transfer Joley Mitchell (IF), the Longhorns have a highly-touted recruited class to subsidize their already-talented depth chart.

First-year outfielder Kayden Henry will be joining Ashton Maloney and Bella Dayton on the green this season. Notching a .655 batting average in 2022, Henry was named No. 3 overall in Perfect Game’s Top 50 Class of 2023 recruit rankings and No. 5 (tie) in Extra Inning Softball’s 2023 Extra Elite 100. Henry’s speed and savvy base running skills — her most recent season saw 28 hits, 21 runs and 31 stolen bases — will make an early impact on the Texas lineup.

Standing at 6’0″, freshman Teagan Kavan will be a force in the circle, notching 1,444 strikeouts over 772.2 IP and six no-hitters in her previous club career. Along with this addition, Texas’ bullpen is already saturated with talented arms in Estelle Czech, Mac Morgan, Citlaly Gutierrez and Sophia Simpson.

Just two years prior, the Longhorns posted their best post-season finish in the WCWS Championship Series as the 2022 runner-up. Last year, a 9-0 shutout loss in the Knoxville regional booted the Longhorns from last year’s tournament. Thus, this is a team fully capable of making a deep run this season, and with a reliable roster, Texas has major potential this year to make it to OKC.

Can the Pac-12 ride its momentum from 2023?

In its last few months of existence, Pac-12 softball has the opportunity to make a statement in its leave. The conference boasts five teams in the USA Softball preseason poll: No. 3 Stanford, No. 8 UCLA, No. 10 Washington, No. 13 Oregon and No. 16 Utah.

Though it got double-eliminated by Oklahoma in the WCWS, Stanford posted an otherwise stellar postseason run. Despite the loss of pitcher Alana Vawter, the Cardinal will have NiJaree Canady returning as ace after a breakout freshman season. Canady finished with a 17-3 record with seven shutouts, becoming the fifth player in Stanford history to record 200 strikeouts in a single season (218).

Host of the Los Angeles regional in last year’s tournament, 2-seeded UCLA was shockingly eliminated by GCU and Liberty after a 52-7 season. Returning to the diamond with a refreshed pitching staff and reigning Pac-12 Player of the Year Maya Brady (SS), the Bruins are hungrier than ever to return to their former glory — their most recent championship win was in 2019.

Utah made it to the WCWS last season for the first time since 1994, and their 2023 win percentage (.724) was the highest the Utes have posted in nearly 30 years. As for Washington, it’s coming off a 74.6 win percentage year, only dropping three games in Husky Stadium. So, we’ll see how things will shake out during the final year of Pac-12 play.

Arkansas’ highly-touted transfer class

Head coach Courtney Deifel fortified her batting lineup with quite the transfer class, earning an added 7.9 wWAA (Weighted Wins Above Average) according to D1Softball. Nia Carter from Iowa and Bri Ellis from Auburn are the headlining additions, as well as Morgan Leinstock (Southern Miss) and Reis Beuerlein (Mississippi State) for the pitching staff.

NIA CARTER, ARKANAS RAZORBACKS SOFTBALL TRANSFER

A redshirt senior, Carter holds Iowa’s program record for career batting average at .415, and started all 62 games in right field last season. In 2023, she recorded hits in all but 10 of her games played, and recorded a career-high 30 RBIs. A seasoned player, Carter will add experience to the roster as well as versatility in the batting lineup. As for Ellis, she was one of two players for Auburn to start every game during her sophomore campaign and was named SEC Freshman of the Year in 2022. Clocking a .989 fielding percentage at first base and 14 homers last season, she’ll be a crucial add on both sides of the ball for the Tigers.

Reigning SEC Pitcher of the Year Chenise Delce will be assisted in the chalk by Leinstock and Beurelein, whose ERAs were 3.30 and 3.13 last season, respectively.

Alabama without ace Montana Fouts

Following the departure of All-American pitcher Montana Fouts, the Tide will have some soul-searching to do to perfect a pitching staff. A generational talent in Tuscaloosa, Fouts hurled 24 complete games in 2023 and led the nation with 323 strikeouts, notching a 7.88 K/BB ratio. Despite tearing her ACL in the SEC tournament last year, Fouts finished out her senior campaign in the national quarterfinals ranked second in program history in strikeouts (1,181) and third in shutouts (35).

Now faced with a dilemma in the circle, head coach Patrick Murphy will turn to his depth in sluggers to find a good rhythm. The Tide picked up two transfers in Kayla Beaver (Central Arkansas) and Alea Johnson (LSU), whose pitching resumes vary from toughness to versatility. Beaver ignited the most successful season in Central Arkansas’ history in 2023 by logging a 21-8 record with 20 complete games and three shutouts. Johnson earned a 7-1 record with the Tigers, tossing two complete games and a shutout.

The lone freshman pitcher is Jocelyn Briski, hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, and topping her high school’s all-time leaderboard in wins (54), strikeouts (1,009), ERA (0.54), shutouts (30), no-hitters (8) and perfect games (2). Senior Jaala Torrence and redshirt junior Alex Salter will also be in consideration for the starting role. But, as Murphy told D1 Softball in their fall report: “I think it’s going to be a mix and match thing and it’s going to be fun.”

Oklahoma’s historic championship run

There’s really no other way to say it: Oklahoma softball is on a dynastic run. Finishing their 2023 campaign with a stellar 61-1 record — with their only loss coming from a one-run decision against Baylor — the Sooners were dominant in every facet on the diamond. Here are the statistical categories that Oklahoma led the nation in, by the end of last year:

Batting average: .366
ERA: .96
Fielding percentage: .987
Home runs per game: 1.89
On-base percentage: .456
Scoring per game: 8.08 R/G
Shutouts: 35
Slugging percentage: .666

Oklahoma has won the past three national championships, going undefeated in the final series for their last two titles. No school has ever accomplished a four-peat in the history of the sport; UCLA was the only other program to get a three-peat from 1988-1990. Already on a 53-game unbeaten streak, the Sooners are equipped with a loaded transfer class and returners hungry for their last shot at a perfect season; 2024 presents another chance for OU to make history.

IOC Session approves LA28’s proposal for five additional sports

October 18, 2023 by Tara S

By: International Olympic Committee

Baseball/softball, cricket (T20), flag football, lacrosse (sixes) and squash have been officially included as additional sports on the programme for the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 (LA28). The decision has been taken by the 141st Session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The five sports were proposed by the LA28 Organising Committee as a package for their edition of the Games only, and were reviewed and supported by the IOC’s Olympic Programme Commission (OPC) and Executive Board (EB).

For baseball and softball, cricket and lacrosse it will be a return to the Olympic Games, while flag football and squash will be making their Olympic debut in LA.

Baseball and softball have been part of the programme at several editions of the Olympic Games, most recently at Tokyo 2020.
Cricket was on the programme for the Olympic Games Paris 1900.
Lacrosse was included on the programme at St Louis 1904 and London 1908.
Flag football and squash will make their Olympic debut at LA28.

“The choice of these five new sports is in line with the American sports culture and will showcase iconic American sports to the world, while bringing international sports to the United States. These sports will make the Olympic Games LA28 unique,” said IOC President Thomas Bach. “Their inclusion will allow the Olympic Movement to engage with new athlete and fan communities in the US and globally.”

“I have long believed that we have an incredible opportunity in Los Angeles to create the most compelling Games, not just for us, but for the world. Our Olympic sport programme, in its entirety, reflects this belief,” said LA28 Chairperson Casey Wasserman. “We are excited to embark on game-changing collaborations with major professional leagues that will unlock massive opportunities to amplify the Olympic and Paralympic story and captivate new audiences.”

This selection of sports is the result of a thorough process and analysis based on evaluation criteria set out before the process began, including gender equality. It considered the utilisation of existing facilities, involving a wide range of sports communities both in the United States and globally, and incorporating some of the most popular sports in the United States and across the globe.

Modern pentathlon and weightlifting

The IOC Session also supported the recommendations made by the IOC EB concerning the status of modern pentathlon and weightlifting, which were not part of the initial sports programme for LA28.

Modern pentathlon: The IOC Session endorsed the recommendation from the IOC EB to include modern pentathlon on the LA28 sports programme, acknowledging the replacement of horse riding with obstacle racing and the optimisation work conducted by the International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) to reduce costs and complexity. As noted by the IOC EB, it is essential for the UIPM to continue to implement the necessary changes in governance and modernise as an organisation. Without the replacement of horse riding with obstacle racing, the sport would not have been included in the programme.
Weightlifting: The IOC Session accepted the IOC EB’s recommendation to include weightlifting on the LA28 sports programme following the decision of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) to delegate its anti-doping management to the International Testing Agency (ITA), and its sanctioning to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) at least until the end of 2028. The effectiveness of the anti-doping programmes for the Paris 2024 Olympic qualification and Olympic competition will continue to be closely monitored by the IOC, as will the implementation of the governance and cultural changes adopted by the IWF.

Following the IOC Session decision to withdraw recognition of the International Boxing Association (IBA), the IOC has not recognised another governing body for Olympic boxing. Therefore, the IOC EB decided that any decision regarding the inclusion of boxing on the LA28 sports programme is put on hold, so there was no discussion of this by the IOC Session.

The other 28 sports that are part of the LA28 Olympic programme were approved by the IOC Session in February 2022.

The discipline programme was approved by the IOC EB on 13 October 2023, while the programme of events and athlete quotas will be finalised after Paris 2024. The OPC will now work on ensuring that the final athlete quota numbers for the Olympic Games LA28 remain reasonable and below the overall quota for Tokyo 2020.

2028 Olympics Expected to Include Softball

October 10, 2023 by Tara S

D1Softball Staff

Softball was shut out the first two times the Summer Olympics came to Los Angeles. It appears the sport won’t miss out when the Games return to the city in 2028.

Softball is among five sports that local organizers have proposed for inclusion in 2028 program, along with the event’s regular program. LA28, the local organizing body, proposed softball, baseball, cricket, flag football and squash for inclusion. Although expected to be a formality, the additions aren’t official until approved by the International Olympic Committee in a vote on Oct. 16 in Mumbai.

No details were included on the intended format or facilities. In Tokyo, the tournament consisted of six teams, down from eight teams in each of the sport’s previous four Olympics tournaments. As in previous editions, rosters were limited to 15 athletes.

As part of Olympic reforms and retooling over the past decade, organizing committees have the ability to propose sports for inclusion on a one-time basis, often to appeal to local audiences or specific demographics. Inclusion in 2028 would not guarantee that softball will be part of the 2032 program in Brisbane, Australia.

First included in the Olympics in Atlanta in 1996, softball was part of the program through the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Dropped, along with baseball, following Beijing, the sport returned in 2021 as part of the delayed Tokyo Olympics—again as a sport included by local organizers, rather than the IOC’s regular slate of sports.

In Los Angeles, the United States will hope to snap a 24-year gold medal drought. Japan defeated the U.S. for gold in both 2008 and 2021.

Olympics aside, the United States is the three-time reigning world champion, having won the WBSC World Cup (formerly World Championship) in 2016, 2018 and 2022. Among members of the U.S. team coached by Heather Tarr that won the 2022 world title in Birmingham, Ala., Ally Carda would be 35 in 2028—the oldest among players who took the field in the gold medal game and have not retired.

The 28 sports already part of the 2028 program are: Aquatics, Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Canoe, Cycling, Equestrian, Fencing, Field hockey, Golf, Gymnastics, Handball, Judo, Rowing, Rugby, Sailing, Shooting, Skateboarding, Soccer, Sport Climbing, Surfing, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball (beach and indoor) and Wrestling.

A Home Run Success: Highlights from the 3rd Annual American Gold Sports Alliance Softball Camp

August 30, 2023 by Tara S

At the American Gold Sports Alliance (AGSA), the spirit of unity and passion for sports continues to shine brightly. We are thrilled to share with you the incredible success of our 3rd Annual AGSA Softball Camp, a celebration of growth, camaraderie, and unforgettable memories.

A Blend of Skill and Joy:

Imagine a field filled with laughter, the crack of bats, and the whoosh of pitches. Our Softball Camp wasn’t just about refining skills; it was about crafting moments that would stay with participants for years to come. With each swing, catch, and throw, friendships were forged and bonds strengthened.

Learning from the Best:

Picture this: being mentored by current and former collegiate athletes who have walked the path you aspire to tread. Our camp was graced by these exceptional mentors who shared not only their expertise but also life lessons garnered from their athletic journey. It wasn’t just about perfecting softball techniques; it was about imbibing values that extend far beyond the confines of the field.

A Symphony of Fun and Unity:

From drills that honed precision to plays that induced exhilaration, the Softball Camp was a whirlwind of excitement. Yet, the true magic lay in the connections that took root. Players of varying backgrounds and skill levels found common ground, creating a supportive and encouraging atmosphere that resonated with the core values of AGSA. It was more than a camp; it was a symphony of unity in diversity.

A Heartfelt Expression of Gratitude:

To our incredible athletes, coaches, volunteers, and sponsors, we extend a heartfelt thank you. Your dedication and passion have etched unforgettable memories in the hearts of all involved. And to our participants, your enthusiasm turned each day into an adventure, lighting up the field with energy and excitement. You were the heart and soul of the Softball Camp’s success.

A Celebration of Unity:

As we look back on the memorable moments of water balloon fights, insightful conversations, and the joy of the game, we’re filled with gratitude. AGSA is more than just an organization; it’s a family united by a shared love for sports and a commitment to positive change. Your presence has made this year’s camp a shining testament to what unity can achieve.

So, get ready for an even more exhilarating journey ahead. With AGSA, there’s more excitement, more growth, and more cherished memories waiting to be created. Until then, keep the spirit of summer alive, and always remember that you’re an indispensable part of the AGSA family.

Incoming Freshmen Bennett and Mardjetko Named Gatorade Players of the Year

June 29, 2023 by Tara S

CHICAGO — Incoming South Carolina softball freshmen Reganne Bennett (Novi, Mich./Novi) and Sage Mardjetko (Lemont, Ill./Lemont) were named the Gatorade Player of the Year in their respective states. It’s the second Player of the Year award for Mardjetko, who also earned the honor in 2022.

In its 38th year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, the award recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Both are now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Softball Player of the Year award to be announced in June.

Bennett, a 5-foot-10 right-handed pitcher and first baseman, batted .598 with 18 home runs and 20 doubles this past season, leading the Wildcats (25-12-1) to the Division 1, District 19 tournament final. Bennett scored 60 runs and drove in 63 while posting a .664 on-base percentage and a 1.295 slugging percentage. In the circle, she posted an 11-5 record with a 1.12 ERA, fanning 239 in 131 2-3 innings pitched. She is ranked as the nation’s No. 18 recruit in the Class of 2023 by Extra Inning Softball.

Bennett has volunteered locally with the Novi High School Unified Basketball team, a program that empowers individuals with and without intellectual disabilities to engage through the power of sports. She has also donated her time as an elementary school classroom aide. Bennett has maintained a weighted 4.06 GPA in the classroom.

Mardjetko led Lemont to the back-to-back Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 3A state championships, capping off her career with a 12-inning, 24-strikeout, no-hitter in the state championship on Saturday (June 10). She also threw a no-hitter in the 2022 IHSA state championship. In 2023, the 5-foot-10 right-handed pitcher finished with a 23-0 record and a 0.00 ERA, leading the Indians to a 35-1 record. The state’s returning Gatorade Player of the Year, Mardjetko struck out 340 batters while allowing just 18 hits and 21 walks in 143 1-3 innings over 24 games. She fired 12 no-hitters, including two perfect games, and allowed just three unearned runs all season. Mardjetko becomes only the second pitcher in IHSA history to finish a season with a 0.00 ERA (min. 70 innings). Ranked as the nation’s No. 10 recruit in the Class of 2023 by Extra Inning Softball, she also batted .348 with five home runs and a .667 slugging percentage.

A member of the Lemont High School Athletic Council, Mardjetko has volunteered locally with Young Hearts for Life, a heart-health screening program, and as a peer tutor. Mardjetko has maintained a weighted 4.30 GPA in the classroom.

For the latest on South Carolina Softball, visit GamecocksOnline.com or follow the team’s social media accounts on Twitter @GamecockSoftbll, Facebook /GamecockSoftball, and Instagram @GamecockSoftball.

Incoming Softball Pitcher Posts Eye-Popping Numbers

June 29, 2023 by Tara S

John Whittle | 24/7 Sports

Incoming pitcher Sage Mardjetko earned Gatorade Player of the Year honors in her home state of Illinois.

There’s a huge void on the mound that needs to be filled as Donnie Gobourne finished her one-year career with the South Carolina softball program. There are other pitchers moving on, too, and head coach Beverly Smith went and signed one of the top players in the country to take a leading role on the mound.

Sage Mardjetko, the two-time Gatorade Player of the Year for softball in her home state of Illinois, is getting set to come to Columbia with absolutely sterling numbers. In 36 games pitched as a senior this season, Mardjetko threw 143 1/3 innings and didn’t give up a single earned run.

For the second year in a row, she picked up the win in her team’s state championship game by throwing a no-hitter. This year’s was special, not only because it was the final game of her high school career, but it was a 12-inning no hitter that saw her strike out 24 hitters in the game.

In the 143 1/3 innings she pitched this season, she struck out 340 hitters and allowed only 18 hits with 18 walks. Over the course of her season, she tossed 12 no hitters, which included two perfect games.

Mardjetko is considered the No. 10 recruit nationally by Extra Inning Softball, and also hit for her Lemont High School team. Her numbers, which calculated through the quarterfinal round of the state tournament, included a .386 batting average with five home runs and a .754 slugging percentage.

According to a press release from Gatorade, Mardjetko also owns a 4.30 grade point average.

Mardjetko isn’t the only top-flight softball signee for the Gamecocks this offseason. First baseman Reganne Bennett won the Gatorade Player of the Year award in Michigan. Considered the No. 18 recruit nationally, Bennett batted .598 with 18 home runs and 20 doubles this season. She scored 60 runs and drove in 63 while posting a .664 on-base percentage and a 1.295 slugging percentage.

Bennett also featured as a right-handed pitcher and put up great numbers in the circle, too, with an 11-5 record with a 1.12 ERA. She struck out 239 in 131 2/3 innings pitched.

LEMONT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT-ATHLETE NAMED GATORADE ILLINOIS SOFTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

June 29, 2023 by Tara S

Gatorade

CHICAGO (June 9, 2023) — In its 38th year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, Gatorade today announced Sage Mardjetko of Lemont High School is the 2022-23 Gatorade Illinois Softball Player of the Year. Mardjetko is the second Gatorade Illinois Softball Player of the Year to be chosen from Lemont High School. The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Mardjetko as Illinois’ best high school softball player. Now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Softball Player of the Year award to be announced in June, Mardjetko joins an elite alumni association of state award-winners in 12 sports, including Jordyn Bahl (2020-21, Papillion-La Vista High School, Neb.), Megan Faraimo (2017-18, Cathedral Catholic High School, Calif.), Rachel Garcia (2014-15, Highland High School, Calif.) and Cat Osterman (2000-01, Cypress Spring High School, Texas). Entering today’s Class 3A state semifinals (June 9), the 5-foot-10 senior right-handed pitcher owned a 21-0 record and a 0.00 ERA, leading the Indians (33-1) to the final four.

The state’s returning Gatorade Player of the Year, Mardjetko struck out 303 batters while allowing just 16 hits and 18 walks in 125.1 innings over 34 games. She fired 11 no-hitters, including two perfect games in that span, and allowed just three unearned runs all season. Ranked as the nation’s No. 10 recruit in the Class of 2023 by Extra Inning Softball, she also batted .386 with five home runs and a .754 slugging percentage. A member of the Lemont High School Athletic Council, Mardjetko has volunteered locally with Young Hearts for Life, a heart-health screening program, and as a peer tutor. “Sage is definitely one of the best pitchers I have seen in a long time,” said Vince Brown, head coach of Thornton Fractional North High School. “She knows how to throw the ball inside, outside, high or low. To me, that’s the definition of a great pitcher.” Mardjetko has maintained a weighted 4.30 GPA in the classroom. She has signed a national letter of intent to play softball on scholarship at the University of South Carolina this fall.

The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field, and awards one National Player of the Year in each sport. The selection process is administered by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee, which leverages experts including coaches, scouts, media and others as sources to help evaluate and determine the state winners in each sport. Two-time winner Mardjetko joins recent Gatorade Illinois Softball Players of the Year Abby Dunning (2020-21, Marist High School), and Bailey Dowling (2019-20 & 2018-19, St. Joseph-Ogden High School), among the state’s list of former award winners. Being a Gatorade Player of the Year means paying it forward for the next generation. Through G

atorade’s Play it Forward initiative, every Player of the Year receives a grant to give to one of Gatorade’s social impact partners, supporting Gatorade’s ambition to fuel the future of sport. To date, Gatorade Player of the Year winners’ grants have totaled more than $3.5 million across more than 1,300 organizations. For nearly 40 years, Gatorade has honored high school athletes at the top of their game as teammates, supporting their communities and achieving academic success. From CEOs and coaches to star athletes and community leaders, Gatorade Player of the Year winners showcase the power of sport.

To learn more about the Gatorade Player of the Year program, check out past winners or to nominate student-athletes, visit playeroftheyear.gatorade.com or follow us on social media on Facebook at facebook.com/GatoradePOY, Instagram at instagram.com/Gatorade and Twitter at twitter.com/Gatorade.

Ole Miss’ Tenly Grisham wants to put her name, tribe on the map

November 17, 2022 by Tara S

BY: Scott Procter | BVM Sports

PHILADELPHIA, Miss. (BVM) – Tenly Grisham first stepped into the batter’s box for one of the most accomplished high school softball programs in the country as a seventh grader. There was some initial fear as she looked across the infield at the pitcher’s mound to see athletes four or five years older than her, but Grisham believes it was one of the best things to ever happen to her.

“It was nerve-wracking for sure,” Grisham said of leading off for Neshoba Central High School in the seventh grade. “I was coming in a seventh grader and I didn’t know what to expect. I was kind of thrown into the fire with going in as the leadoff (hitter) but I knew I had eight other players behind me that would help me out so I knew as long as I tried to do my part as best as I could, they had my back.

“My coach giving me that opportunity was the best thing I could’ve asked for.”

The decision to throw Grisham directly into the fire has resulted in nothing but success for Mississippi’s most dominant softball program.

After a 31-3 record this past season, Grisham helped lead the Rockets to their ninth-straight MHSAA Class 5A state title. Grisham has been Nashoba Central’s leadoff hitter for the last six years and has five championship rings to show for it. The only year without a championship came in 2020 when the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Rockets have gone an eye-popping 96-5 over the last three seasons and although Grisham is a major reason why, the opportunity she’s been afforded throughout her prep career is not lost on her.

“It’s been amazing,” Grisham said of the Rockets’ dynasty. “Not everyone has the opportunity to play for such an outstanding high school program and I thank God everyday for blessing me with that opportunity. Just playing with them shows how much I love softball.

“Every player, whether they’re the nine-hole batter or the leadoff, cheers from the side like they love the game so much and want to win and I could not thank them enough for having my back.”

Perhaps the only thing more impressive than Neshoba’s 8-1 record in the playoffs this season and dominant sweep of East Central (7-0, 14-4) in the state finals is what Grisham accomplished during her senior campaign.

The 5-foot-4 senior batted .531 with 23 RBIs, 55 runs scored and 45 stolen bases. She was walked 15 times and struck out just once all season in 111 plate appearances. The elite play led to Grisham becoming just the third Gatorade Mississippi Softball Player of the Year to be chosen from Neshoba Central.

“I was very shocked because there are several talented players in Mississippi, especially in softball,” Grisham said of the Gatorade honor. “Being named Gatorade Player of the Year, I’m speechless about it and I didn’t know how to react when my mom told me. I’m honored.”

Neshoba Central swept New Hope (9-0, 7-1) to punch its ticket to the MHSAA State Championship Series, and the Trojans’ head coach knows just how important the Rockets’ leadoff hitter was to their success in every facet of the game.

“Tenly is a triple-threat on offense,” New Hope head coach Casey Finch said in a Gatorade press release. “She can slap for power, place the short ball and her speed and knowledge on the basepaths is incredible. She’s also an exceptional defensive player.”

Ranked as the nation’s No. 42 recruit (No. 28 among infielders) in the Class of 2022 by Extra Inning Softball, Grisham is on the doorstep of a dream she’s had since a child: playing collegiate softball.

The Gatorade Mississippi Softball POY will stay close to home and headline the Ole Miss Rebels’ No. 3-ranked recruiting class. Much like being thrown into the fire as a seventh-grade leadoff hitter for a state championship-caliber squad, Grisham feels like she has an opportunity in Oxford that she can’t pass up.

“They gave me a really big opportunity to come play for them and they were so welcoming and loving,” Grisham said of Ole Miss softball. “They knew me, I wasn’t just another number, I was a player and person to them. They made Oxford feel like home.”

Grisham is a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, the only federally recognized American Indian tribe living within the state of Mississippi. As one of the United States’ original first nations, the tribe is more than 11,000 members strong and Grisham hopes to be an inspiration to her community.

The future Rebel will certainly work to elevate her status within the softball world, but more important than that is showing other young ladies like her what hard work can do.

“I want to prove that any Choctaw little girl that plays softball can do it; they can make it to the big stage,” Grisham said. “I just want to make a name for myself but as well as my tribe and let them know like, “she grew up playing on the rec ball fields and she made it there.’ I just want them to know that they can make it. That’s the main thing.”

Grisham capped off decorated career with title, Gatorade Player of the Year honors

November 17, 2022 by Tara S

By Drew Kerekes dkerekes@themeridianstar.com

By the time she was a senior this past spring, Neshoba Central’s Tenly Grisham was a well-known player in the Mississippi prep softball scene.

An Ole Miss signee, Grisham had been starting for the Lady Rockets since middle school and has won a state championship with the team every year she’s played varsity fast-pitch. That was capped off in 2022 with the school’s ninth straight fast-pitch title in MHSAA Class 5A.

Grisham hit .531 this past season with a .612 on-base percentage, 45 stolen bases, eight doubles, two triples, one home run, 23 RBIs and 55 runs scored from the leadoff position while manning shortstop for the Lady Rockets. She was named the 2021-22 Gatorade Mississippi Softball Player of the Year and was also a first-team All-State and first-team All-Region 3-5A selection.

Because of her dynamic senior season, Grisham was named the 2022 Premier Preps Softball Player of the Year.

“It’s truly a blessing and an honor,” Grisham said of earning Premier Preps recognition in addition to Gatorade Player of the Year. “I am grateful for both, and I’m glad to represent my tribe (the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians) and school with these prestigious awards.”

In 2017, Grisham took over at third base for Neshoba Central when she was only a seventh grader. At the time, Trae Embry was head coach of the Lady Rockets, and current head coach Zach Sanders was an assistant. Even back then, Sanders said Grisham stood out as an athlete.

“We knew something was special about her the first time we saw her walk onto the field,” Sanders recalled. “You’re talking about a small-statured seventh-grade girl who the ball came off the bat of differently. She was able to play positions unlike any seventh grader you’d ever seen. You really just had to be there to understand.”

Sanders said Grisham was second-team All-State in her seventh-grade season, which showed just how much potential she had.

“She was really good as a young player, and she didn’t stop at that,” Sanders said. “She grew and continued to make it to where she was Gatorade Player of the Year, which is one of the top honors you can get as a softball player in the state of Mississippi.”

Even after six years of starting for the Lady Rockets, Grisham said it doesn’t feel like six years have gone by.

“If I could go back, I would tell myself to take it all in, have fun and just enjoy every moment because it goes by super fast,” Grisham said.

The 2022 Class 5A state championship was the school’s ninth in a row (the 2020 spring season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic), and the pressure was always on Neshoba Central every season to keep repeating as state champions.

“We learned to take it one pitch and one game at a time,” Grisham explained. “We had to have fun or the pressure was overwhelming. When you have a team that is able to connect with each other, then it’s easy to play with no pressure.”

As a youth softball player, Grisham looked up to former standout shortstop Hailey Lunderman, a 2015 graduate of Neshoba Central and fellow member of the MBCI. Like Lunderman, Grisham signed with Ole Miss to continue her softball career, and Grisham said she’s honored to follow a similar career path to someone she idolized.

“I definitely looked up to her,” Grisham said. “She played with so much grit and passion, how could you not want to be like her? It was nerve-wracking at first (batting leadoff like Lunderman did) because she was the greatest to be in that leadoff spot, so I knew I had big shoes to fill. But watching her play year after year, to take the torch was the best honor and feeling.”

Now, Grisham will have the chance to represent the MBCI and Neshoba Central at the SEC level, and it’s an opportunity she doesn’t take lightly.

“Playing collegiate softball has always been a goal of mine,” Grisham said. “It’s a blessing. Now I get to be a role model to all the young Native girls (who watch me) as well as represent the tribe that has cheered for me all of these years.”

Seeing Grisham have so much success is no surprise to Sanders, and he only expects that success to continue at Ole Miss.

“Looking back all the way to when she was in seventh grade, she was just an exceptional athlete,” Sanders said. “I would say you wouldn’t find a better kid overall athletic-wise, and she’s also just a great young lady.”

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