Shady’s Hayhurst stays with softball

By Dan Stillwell
Register-Herald Sports Writer

A love for the game won out for Whitley Hayhurst.

Shady Spring’s all-state second baseman debated whether to play college softball for almost a month before signing with Mountain State University Wednesday.

“I would have missed it too much if I didn’t play,” Hayhurst said. “Softball is pretty much all I’ve ever done.”

Hayhurst was a fixture at second for Shady, helping the Tigers reach the state tournament the past four seasons and winning the 2005 Class AA championship.

As a senior she batted .403 and was 4-2 with a 2.66 ERA. on the mound for Shady, which went 18-10 and won one of three games at states.

Her ability to play college softball was never in doubt.

“I was trying to make the best decision,” Hayhurst said of the long wait after the tournament before signing with MSU. “I was going to go to college, but I wasn’t sure I could keep up with my grades and play ball the same time.”

Cougars coach Tim Berry patiently waited for her to make up her mind.

“Whitley is a good all-around player and a good student,” he said. “She’s certainly deserving of the privilege of playing at the college level.”

Glenville State College and Salem International University also wanted Hayhurst, but she went with the local school.

“I’m excited. I really like the girls,” she said. “I think I’ll fit in well here.”

Hayhurst has excelled in sports despite battling juvenile diabetes.

Nicknamed “Sugar” by teammates, she gives herself insulin injections every day.

“As long as I do everything right, it’s not difficult,” Hayhurst said. “But I have to watch it.”

When her blood sugar was high, it showed in her play.

“A couple of times I was worried about her, but she assured me she was fine,” Shady coach Angela Bostic said. “She was very dedicated and very strong willed to battle diabetes.”

On a team known for its defense, Hayhurst was the anchor at second base.

“If the ball was hit to her, it was going to be an out,” Bostic said. “I can’t think of very many errors at all that she made.”

Hayhurst and Amanda Lilly were the senior leaders on the young Tiger squad.

It was a role she relished.

“I wanted to set a good example — a positive and winning attitude,” Hayhurst said. “I told the girls that’s what we were about.”

She will be a strong addition to MSU, which has also signed Shady Spring infielder Sam Daniels, Wyoming East catcher Toni Dawson, Oak Hill first baseman Patty Tygrett, junior catcher-third baseman Kaylie Layman from Coastal Georgia Community College and junior first baseman Jesica Green from Rend Lake Community College in DuQuoya, Ill.

“Whitley will definitely see time as an infielder and pitcher, and she can play outfield as well,” Berry said.

“She brings lot to the table.”

— E-mail:

dstillwell@register-herald.com