Rocky Stanley The Independent ASHLAND — Megan Hensley awoke Thursday in Owensboro to a text message from her father, Errin.

 

“It said, ‘Good morning, Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year,’” the Ashland junior related a few hours later via phone as the Kittens prepared for their state softball tournament opener.

 

“I’m totally surprised,” Hensley said.

 

Evidently, her credentials were just too impressive. Outstanding all season in both the pitching circle and batter’s box, Hensley became the area’s first winner of the Gatorade Kentucky Softball Player of the Year award.

 

“I honestly didn’t think I would get it,” said Hensley, who was also nominated as a sophomore. “It’s pretty cool to be recognized as that.”

 

“What an incredible accomplishment for an outstanding young lady,” is how Ashland athletic director Mark Swift reacted to the news while en route to Owensboro. “I’m so happy.”

 

Ashland coach Dave Miller couldn’t imagine anyone more deserving.

 

“Megan hits the ball a ton and pitches as well as anybody anywhere,” said Miller, who guided the Kittens to a sixth consecutive state tournament appearance. “There’s nobody that works harder.”

 

As a pitcher, the 5-foot-8 right-hander entered this week with a 28-4 record, 0.63 earned run average, 369 strikeouts in 202 2-3 innings and five no-hitters.

 

“Megan Hensley is without a doubt the best pitcher in the history of the 16th Region,” said Fairview coach Lauren Ellis, previously an All-State player at Boyd County. “What makes her so dangerous in the circle is that she pairs a hard ball with incredible movement. She keeps hitters guessing at all times.”

 

On the flip side, opposing pitchers have a difficult time getting Hensley out. The 2013 MaxPreps.com Underclass All-American and University of Louisville commit is hitting .561 this spring with nine home runs, 44 runs batted in and a .981 slugging percentage.

 

“It’s huge,” Miller said of the award, which also recognizes high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. “I’m so proud of Megan. She’s very humble and just a great kid.”

 

Along with her weighted 4.07 GPA, Hensley has been a member of the Mu Alpha Theta math honor society. She’s volunteered with the Salvation Army, as a youth softball coach and with community service efforts through her church youth group.

 

“Megan is certainly the epitome of a quality student-athlete,” Swift said. “It would be hard to have a better year than she’s had.”

 

Hensley will receive an engraved trophy and becomes a finalist for the Gatorade National Softball Player of the Year award to be announced later this month. The school of each state winner gets a trophy and banner.

 

Gatorade is in its 29th year of honoring the nation’s top athletes. Softball was added to the Player of the Year program for the 1997-98 school year

CONGRATS . great to see the award come east !

Congrats to Megan!!

Congrats!

She is a very good pitcher!

 

Anybody know what her stats were in the state tourney?

 

Thursday she went like 10 innings we heard she threw like 180 some pitches I thought I heard 18 strikeouts.

 

Friday vs Johnson Central I think she fired a 1 hitter which was ruled a double rather than the walk off loss but in the book it is a 1 hitter.

 

Friday vs Highlands she fired a 1 hitter and dominated!

 

I thought I heard she had another great game going but lost on a walk off homerun.

Congrats Megan!