Hannah Light’s list of softball achievements can certainly fill up a resume.
--- Cumberland District pitcher of the year on three occasions.
--- All-Region D first-team honoree several times.
--- All-state accolades on more than one occasion.
--- Two-time state tournament participant.
--- She led Coeburn High School to the top of the Cumberland District during her time at the school and made them a force in Region D.
--- Her skills earned a scholarship to play for NCAA Division II Mars Hill College.
However, Light isn’t done yet.
Two more milestones are still in store for the hard-throwing right-hander.
First, Light will pitch for the West team in this morning’s Virginia High School Coaches Association All-Star softball game.
Secondly, and perhaps most impressively, Coeburn is planning to retire Light’s No. 11 jersey. Retiring someone’s number has become a rarity in Southwest Virginia, but well-deserved in this case after
Light racked up more than 1,100 career strikeouts.
“It’s a really great honor,” Light said.
Light is one of eight players that will represent the area in today’s VHSCA contest. She’ll be joined by Virginia High’s Fallon Thomas, Cassie Ringstaff (Richlands), Cassie Sturgill (Powell Valley), Sydnei
Lester (Tazewell), Lauren Wilson (Abingdon), Evan Ferrell (Richlands) and Powell Valley’s Kaylla Holdway.
“It’s very exciting,” Light said. “I’m blessed to get picked. There will be a lot of girls that I know, and I am rooming with Fallon. It should be a really good experience.”
Since losing to Holston in an 18-inning state quarterfinal game, Light has kept a busy schedule.
“I’ve already played in one travel ball tournament in Raleigh, N.C., and I have one more tournament to play in with them,” Light said. “I also work out every day during the week with a workout schedule that
the college has sent me. It consists of running and lifting and I’ve been throwing.”
Light is hoping for a good showing today and admitted it would be nice to register a few more strikeouts. It would be a fitting end to a four-year odyssey.
“It’s been crazy,” Light said. “The last four years have been great.”
The VHSCA All-Star baseball game is also today on the campus of Christopher Newport University.
Pitcher Luke Kirk (Gate City), catcher Jonathan Dean (Coeburn) and first baseman Lucas Fannon (Powell Valley) will represent Southwest Virginia. Honaker’s Tom Harding will serve on the West
coaching staff.
thayes@bristolnews.com | Twitter: @Hayes_BHCSports | (276) 645-2570
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