Henderson International softball ready to roar in final season

Henderson International’s softball team made a good case last year to be in the mix for a Class 1A state tournament berth this season.

And it could be the last case the Wolverines make.

Henderson International announced in late February the final season of its high school campus, citing declining enrollment and the troubled economy for closing its doors.

That means the Wolverines, who were 25-2 last year against an independent schedule, will play their first and only official campaign in the 1A Southern League this season.

“I told the girls, 'If we have to go out, we might as well try our best to go out on top,’” Henderson International coach Mimie Hall said. “There’s potential to do that. It’s up to us to obtain that.”

The announcement of the school’s imminent closure hit the players hard.

“It was really emotional for all of us,” Hall said. “When you have a smaller school, the athletes are very close friends. For us coaches, they almost become kids to us.”

The Wolverines turned heads last season by going 3-0 against Pahranagat Valley, which finished 12-0 in league play, by a combined score of 29-4.

Henderson International could be even better this season, returning its entire lineup.

The cornerstone will be sophomore pitcher/first baseman Lee Harrison, who was 14-2 with a 1.14 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 80 innings as a freshman. She also hit .692 with three home runs and 59 RBIs.

“Lee is such a well-rounded athlete,” Hall said. “I think she had a great year last year, especially being a freshman.

“The kids look up to her because she’s a quiet leader. There’s a lot of respect there.”

Also back are sophomore second baseman Alyssa Ayers (.521 with 38 RBIs), sophomore shortstop Brittany Huff (.506, 37 RBIs) and sophomore third baseman Pamela Sakuma (.464, three home runs, 48 RBIs).

The Wolverines were already focused on taking advantage of the opportunity to play for league and state titles. Now there is even more motivation — a chance to leave on a high note.

“We hope we can go out on top this year,” Hall said. “As emotional as it is thinking about the future, it’s nice to have a great potential of winning ahead of us.”