GAMES
RANKINGS
Hailey Nutter of Barbers Hill Softball
LASER-FOCUSED: Nutter, Barbers Hill on a mission this Spring
So, where did it all begin?
“My Mom played in high school and she has always inspired me to compete and play at the collegiate level,” said Nutter.
That inspiration paid off, since Nutter committed to play at the University of Kentucky just a few months ago.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“It just felt like home up there,” she said. “I really fit in with girls who are going to be there when I join the team my freshman year. The coaches made me feel welcome, and they still talk to me to this day. I felt really wanted at Kentucky and I really loved the experience.“
"I’ll be kind of far from home, but I know that I’ll stay busy and remain focused on what I need to do. I won’t let anything distract me from my game and school when I’m there.”
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Barbers Hill junior will eventually play for a Division I team like Kentucky, but she does get her opponents’ best at-bat.
“It (the attention she’s garnered) doesn’t really affect me if I’m being honest,” Nutter said. “All I can do is stay focused on the task at hand and remain calm. When we’re on the field, it’s just me and the catcher – that’s the only thing that matters to me when pitching.“
"I don’t let the fans or anyone get in my head because I know that messes with my game. That cannot happen, especially in the big moments.”
The stars of 2023-24 Barbers Hill SoftballBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Similar to most ball-clubs, some of last year’s stars have since graduated. But the Eagles still carry the distinction of having one of the most complete rosters in all of Class 5A.
After falling to the eventual State Champs Lake Creek in a Regional Semifinals slug-fest a year ago, Barbers Hill will undoubtedly have their sights set on flipping the script this Spring.
“I’m really hoping to win it all,” said Nutter. “Our goal is the same as it’s always been... to win State. But it’s all about the process. We just need to focus on one game at a time and to stay healthy along the way.”
Nutter and the Eagles are prepared to let the good times roll this Spring. Let’s see if they can cap it off with some hardware come June.
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE 2024 VYPE BASEBALL/SOFTBALL PREVIEW
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE PHOTOS FROM THE CITYWIDE BSB/SB SHOOT
2022-23 Barbers Hill High School Softball
THE WIND UP: VYPE Softball Rankings, No. 8 Barbers Hill Eagles
Barbers Hill entered the 2022 season as the defending Class 5A State Champions after winning the program’s first-ever crown in 2021 and was even crowned the National Champions by MaxPreps.
They have been to the State Tournament four times in program history and after exiting in the Area Round last year, the Eagles are looking to fly again in 2023.
The Eagles bring back TGCA All-State selection Hailey Nutter who quickly became the ace in the circle for Barbers Hill as a freshman in 2022. Nutter exploded onto the scene and was named the District MVP with a 19-4 record and 187 strikeouts in 119 innings pitched.
Peyton Helmly is back after being named the district’s Newcomer of the Year in 2022 hitting .378 at the dish.
Other key returners include Reagan Duty (LSU-Eunice), Katelynn Cooper (Navarro JC), Sophie Naivar (Boston University), Kaydey Rawlinson (Kilgore College), Brookelyn Livanec, Harper Gonzalez, and Emma Hargrave.
The motto for Aaron Fuller’s squad, which he is leading for a ninth season and who has 337 career wins in 12 years as a head coach, is “Take it Back."
CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER THE BASEBALL SOFTBALL CITYWIDE MAGAZINE
CLICK HERE TO ORDER BASEBALL/SOFTBALL PHOTOS
Hailey Nutter
