Senior Hadley Hansen has been a part of the Westside softball program since she was a freshman. Last season Hansen had five home runs and caught 164.2 innings. Hansen talks about what she wants to accomplish in her last season.
“ I’m hoping to be a good leader for my team this year. I want to continue to lead by example, and be the player people look to for help, confidence, and anything else they may need. I want and hope that I can continue to do everything that I can for this team to make it to state and have a successful rest of the year,” Hansen said.
Head coach Mike Leapley talks about what he hopes to see Hansen accomplish in her final season.
“ I hope to see her enjoy every moment and play with confidence. She’s already proven herself as one of our most reliable and consistent players,” Leapley said.
3rd baseman Baylee Heffernan talks about what it means to her to play alongside Hansen.
“Playing with Hadley is such a privilege because she’s always there for you no matter what and she will push you to work harder everyday,” Heffernan said.
During Hansen’s junior year she decided to become a multi-athlete by joining the soccer team as their goalie. She talks about how that impacted her upcoming softball season and how she managed to be at all the games and practices for both sports, as it was also her club season for softball.
“Balancing school, softball, and soccer last spring was a very hard adjustment to make. I had to balance my academic, social, and athletic life. Fortunately I have great support systems around me, my friends, and my family, understood that I was busy and helped me through it all,” Hansen said.
Senior pitcher Hannah Miller talks about how Hansen has impacted her.
“ Hadley has always been a great player, someone I always wanted to be on my team. She has the highest catching IQ and just knows me as pitcher which makes me better on the mound,” Miller said “Softball things aside she is one of my best friends and I don’t know what I would do without her.”
Coach Leapley talks about what Hansen has brought and continues to bring to the team.
“ Statistically, I know she’ll continue to hit and produce, but more importantly, I hope she uses this season to inspire the younger players, set the tone with her work ethic, and leave a lasting mark on the program. If she can walk away knowing she gave everything she had and made an impact on her teammates, that will be the biggest accomplishment of all,” Leapley said.
Hansen talks about what being a part of the team has taught her on and off the field.
“ Being part of a team, specifically this team, has been such a special experience and I am so so grateful for that. Being a part of the Westside softball team these last four years has taught me leadership skills, how to face adversity, and teamwork skills,” Hansen said.
Hansen is the captain of the varsity team, coach Leapley talks about what Hansen has taught and continues to teach the younger girls.
“ Her leadership this year. She took on this team after they lost in the districts last year. She got right to work with offseason workouts and meetings. She sent me a text in mid-November and said, ‘What do you think of this?’ I was in awe. I knew right then I had my team captain. The team has really taken to her leadership, ” Leapley said.
Hansen has played softball for 10 years so it has become a huge part of her life.
“ Softball is the biggest gift. It is a giant part of who I am. I have met so many amazing people while playing the sport, and I have had so many amazing experiences because of the sport. Softball provides a break in my day, and when things are difficult, I can always turn to softball as an escape,” Hansen said.
Hansen and Heffernan play club softball together during the off season of the high school season, Heffernan talks about how playing club together helps during the high school season.
“ Our club time together strengthens our bond over the summer going into high school because we are constantly together and working with each other basically all year. A plus is that she’s a great person to be around and I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Heffernan said.
Miller talks about her favorite memory on the field with Hansen.
“My favorite memory with hadley was this year during the columbus game” Miller said “I might have thrown the ball straight down the middle and got hit right in the gut with the ball. Hadley came running to me because we had just won the game, but kept asking me if I was ok and telling me it’s ok not to be ok. I just laugh every time I think of it.”
Coach Leapley talks about what he is going to miss the most about Hansen.
“ Student/athlete Hadley is the true definition of that. Leads my example,” Leapley said.
Hansen plans to play at the next level after high school, she talks about what Westside softball has taught her that she will take with her to the next level.
“Westside softball has taught me so many life lessons. I have learned how to be successful in challenging environments, and I have learned how to remain humble when things are going really well. I’ve had to face adversity, but I’ve also had to lead through success. I am very appreciative of my time on the team,” Hansen said.
Coach Leapley may have been a huge impact on Hansen, but she is also a huge impact on him. Coach Leapley talks about what he enjoyed the most about coaching Hansen.
“Positive attitude. Our plate talks during practices. Hadley is hilarious, if you didn’t know. She has some good zingers. Hadley, overall, is a great person,” Leapley said.
Hansen reflects on her time on the Westside softball team, she talks about her favorite memory.
“ My favorite memories from my time on the team have been the charter bus trips we take annually to Norfolk and Columbus. On those long trips the team really bonds and we usually do fun things like Karaoke or stopping for food,” Hansen said.
You can see Hansen in action Wed Oct 8 in the district tournament.
