Kidd Guides Virginia Intermont To Victory Over Emory & Henry In Softball

EMORY, Va. –  Michelle Kidd came to Virginia Intermont to major in photography.
The Niceville, Fla., native has created a lasting impression on the small Bristol, Va., campus.

Kidd is a four-year regular for the VI softball team. On Saturday, she helped the Cobras stop Emory & Henry, 7-6, in the first game of a doubleheader. 

“VI has an amazing program for photography, plus they offer scholarships in softball. It was a pretty good fit for me,” Kidd said.

Like an increasing number of athletes, Kidd honed her skills on a travel-league team.

“My first year of travel ball was at age eight, but I learned the most about the game in high school,” said Kidd, who plays shortstop. “Our [high school] team was ranked 11th in the nation at one point.”

Kidd contributed leadership, defense and a single Saturday.

The Cobras (3-8) built a 7-0 lead in the second inning behind home runs from sophomore right fielder Melissa Hudgins and freshman third baseman Kelli Porter of Virginia Beach.
Porter also has an extensive softball resume. She began her travel-league adventures at 9, and served as team captain for a state-champion team at Kellam High School.

“Moving from the beach to the mountains was a huge adjustment. It’s freezing here, but I love the sport,” Porter said.

Freshman Brittany Lewis collected two of the eight VI hits, while senior Megan Branson (Virginia High) earned the save.
Hudgins helped to silence the E&H rally in the final inning, throwing out a runner at third base for the second out.

“That was a game-changing play,” Branson said. “We’ve played a lot really good teams this season, and I think that experience will help us.”

Branson and Kidd are the lone senior starters for the Cobras. Five VI players, including four starters, are still playing basketball.

Sophomore Sierra Waters (Dobyns-Bennett) and senior Laura Hudson led E&H (0-4) with two hits piece. Junior relief pitcher Megan Evans did not allow a run for the Wasps over the final five innings.

“Our players did a nice job of battling back,” E&H assistant coach Erica Eno said. “We made a couple of baserunning mistakes, but we’ll work on that and get it corrected.”

The E&H lineup features five seniors and six freshmen, including power-hitting Dana Dettmar.

Eno served as an assistant to current VI head softball coach Eric Senter the past two years.

“There’s a little competition there, but it’s all friendly,” Eno said. 

Despite losing four games apiece to NCAA Division II schools Lees-McRae and Brevard, Senter has been pleased with the competitive approach of his squad.

“For the most part, we’ve been playing close games,” Senter said.  “I was happy to win today because Emory always plays us tough.”

The Wasps swept VI last season, winning one game in extra innings and the other game in the bottom of the seventh inning.

“I wasn’t comfortable until the last out today,” Senter said.

Porter also felt the anxiety.

“My heart was thumping, but we held on,” Porter said. “When our whole team gets together, I feel like we’re gonna be really good.”

Kidd, who smacked her first collegiate homer earlier in the week, also sees a bright picture for the Cobras.

“We’re learning with each game,” Kidd said.

After battling through a broken jaw and shoulder surgery, Kidd wants to enjoy her final season in Bristol.

“I feel good about my college choice,” Kidd said. “I’m studying what I want to learn and having fun playing ball.”

| (276) 645-2544