Holcomb softball players receive All-State recognition

HOLCOMB, MO - Five athletes from Holcomb were placed on the All- State team for softball.

Sophomore Ella Lemings was a First Team All-State catcher along with seniors Maleigh Lemings and Kaetlyn Danley who received First Team All-State for their infield positions. Chloe Hendrix, a junior outfielder, also received First Team All-State along with sophomore Ava Gurley.

Seniors Maleigh Lemings and Danley made their third Final Four appearance at the Missouri State Softball Championships this past spring season.

Head coach Matt Casper said they were a great contribution to the team all four years with Maleigh Lemings receiving First Team All-State honors each year. Danley also received Second Team All-Team recognition prior to earning First Team recognition this season.

“They were solid every year,” Casper said. “Offensively and defensively, they are just outstanding players.”

Maleigh Lemings broke the state record for most RBIs in a career and the state record for most RBIs in a single season. She recorded 76 RBI this season, which beat her own state record from last year where she had 71 RBIs. She had 

According to Casper, Danley and Lemings were amazing hitters who rarely ever had strike-outs.

Ella Lemings joined an All-State team for the first time in her career.

“She came in as not a catcher and I had to turn her into one and make her like it,” Casper said. “She has since then exceeded my expectations.”

Coming into her first season, Ella Lemings mainly played first base. However Casper just lost a senior All-State catcher and needed someone to replace for the next four years.

Casper said her athletic ability and work ethic helped her buy into this role as catcher and earn All-State this season.

“She worked at it and put herself in this position,” Casper said. “She was willing to buy into the new role knowing that was what would best help out the team and that was big for her to step in there and relish this role.”

Gurley, who received Second Team All-State last year, was 7-0 as a pitcher this season. Casper said she has stepped up as a leader and made the Hornets defense stronger. Gurley was also strong at bat with an above average hitting percentage.

This is Hendrix’s second season receiving First-Team All-State. She batted over 50 RBIs this year, helping out offensively and being one of their best catchers sitting center outfield defensively. 

Casper admits next season will look different losing five seniors, including Maleigh Lemings and Danley, but he knows he still has a lot of talent and experience to work with. 

“It's going to take a little bit of time because they did rely on these seniors a lot both on and off the field as leaders,” Casper said. “But once the seniors aren’t at school, they will start to step into their roles and it will make more sense to them and they will gain that confidence. Once that happens they will be fun to watch.”