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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.
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Hailey Golden of Pearland Softball
THE PLAYMAKERS: MVPs of the South powered by UTMB Health
Here are the UTMB Athletes of the Week.
Hailey Nutter, Barbers Hill Softball
Juan De Leon (VYPE)
As expected, Barbers Hill was a force to be reckoned with in Texas high school softball this Spring. Eagles ace, sophomore RHP Hailey Nutter was a big reason for that.
Her precision and prowess on the mound was enough to stifle the best of them, which gave other playmakers--Reagan Duty (Sr. IF), Sophie Naivar (Sr. OF), Brookelyn Livanec (Sr. OF), and senior IF KateLynn Cooper--plenty of opportunities to light up the scoreboard.
Nutter earned her second-consecutive District 17-5A MVP nod for her efforts. Count on Nutter and the District Defensive POTY selection, Peyton Helmly (So. C), to be the faces of the franchise moving forward.
Boots Landry, Friendswood Baseball
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Prior to the season, it was no secret that senior 3B Boots Landry was as heavy-hitter on the diamond.
As one of the captains on Friendswood’s stellar roster, featuring the likes of fellow stars--Easton Tumis (Sr. P), Kyle Lockhart (Jr. UTL), Dane Perry (So. C), and junior OF Peyton Adams--it can be difficult to stand out.
But Landry had no trouble flourishing to help lead his team back to the postseason, while being named District 18-5A MVP in the process.
Now that he has graduated, Landry will soon be taking his talents to College Station, where he will play for Texas A&M in the ensuing season.
Hailey Golden, Pearland Softball
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
The Lady Oilers became state champions for the first time since 2010, marking the third time Pearland has been crowned. This was thanks in large part to senior OF Hailey Golden, who played a key role in accomplishing this feat.
Golden went 3-for-4 in the championship game against Denton Guyer, while driving in two runs to help lead Pearland to a 4-2 victory at McCombs Field in Austin.
For her standout performance, Golden was named the Class 6A State Final MVP to cap off her high school career, before moving on to Texas A&M in the coming months.
Janelle Wilson, Friendswood Softball
Juan De Leon (VYPE)
Like so many on this list, standing out among the vast array of next-level talent is easier said than done. But, Janelle Wilson (Sr. P/IF) saw to it that her final season with Friendswood would be her finest.
Wilson led the Mustangs to another trip to the postseason, in which they advanced three rounds deep. As the team’s ace, she maintained an ERA of 0.60 with nearly 250 strikeouts, and an exceptional performance at-bat (.300 BA, 24 RBI, 3 HR) throughout the season.
Given the impressive statline and presence she brought to the diamond, Wilson earned District 18-5A MVP honors before moving on to UNC this upcoming Fall.
Nico Partida, Pearland Baseball
Photo taken by Lloyd Hendricks (Hendricks Rockography)
Provided by Nico Partida (Twitter: @partidanico1)
Given the superfluous amount of talent on coach David Rogers’ roster, it’s truly remarkable how much sophomore right-hander Nico Partida stood out for Pearland this year.
Partida showcased experience beyond his years as one of the starters for the Oilers, earning him the title of All-District Co-MVP.
Furthermore, he was a major contributor in Pearland’s 11-1 win against Westlake in the State Semis--allowing just one earned run, with two strikeouts, and an RBI at-bat.
Despite the team narrowly falling to Flower Mound (4-6) in the Class 6A Final, Pearland Baseball should continue to thrive, as a program, with Partida on the mound.