Kennett’s Handley McAtee named the Crader Distributing and your local STIHL dealers Softball Athlete of the Year

Kennett High School’s Handley McAtee was named the Crader Distributing and your local STIHL dealers Softball Athlete of the Year at the 10th annual Semoball Awards presented by SoutheastHEALTH on Friday, July 14, at LaCroix Church in Cape Girardeau.

“I just feel really blessed to have received this award,” McAtee said. “It never comes easy. These awards take a lot of hard work and effort during the season and in the off season. I just want to thank my coaches and my family for believing in me and pushing me to my limits.”

McAtee was awarded First Team All-State and All-District honors in Class 2 District 1, and she was named to the All Bootheel Conference team after stepping up as the Lady Indians’ ace pitcher this season as a sophomore.

Kennett�s Handley McAtee throws a pitch in a game against Oran on April 20, 2023. After McAtee pitched a perfect game, Kennett won the game 10-0.Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

As a freshman, she was a part of the team that won third place in the state tournament. She knows what it takes to succeed, and while she certainly has a high ceiling as she enters her junior year, she said that the hard work never stops.

“I think it just takes a lot of dedication to the sport,” McAtee explained. “It’s something I’ve played for a long time, since I was little. I’m just very thankful for that.”

“It definitely hasn’t just come naturally,” she continued. “It’s something I’ve really worked at. Just times like going and practicing with my dad since I was six years old, it’s very special to me and something I’ll hold close to my heart.”

The underclassman pitcher finished the season with an ERA of 2.229 and struck out 156 batters after pitching for 119.1 total innings this spring. She allowed 92 hits and just 38 earned runs. Her record as a pitcher stands at 16-6. While not in the circle, McAtee’s fielding percentage was .962.

On offense, McAtee had a batting average of .557 and an on-base percentage of .614. She managed 57 hits, 33 RBIs and 50 total runs. At the end of the season, McAtee had only struck out twice.

Kennett's Handley McAtee looks to move to second base during a game against Doniphan earlier this spring.Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

Stepping up and helping to lead a young team this season, McAtee’s season included many bright spots including a perfect game against Oran. While in-game experiences are to be cherished, she explained that other elements of the game are just as memorable.

“Just being with my teammates each and every day is the best thing,” McAtee said. “They make the game fun and special, and it’s a game I’ll continue to love.”

The Kennett softball team, which had previously won eight consecutive district championships and taken six trips to the Final Four in that time frame, was upset by Portageville in the tournament semifinals. Next spring, the team will return nearly every starting player and will look to make another push deep into the postseason.

“The goal is to keep working hard and hopefully get to where we have been,” McAtee said. “We’ll have to step it up this year and pick up where we left off.”