Lainey Hardman recounted the events following what she thought was her last career school softball game. Hays High had just lost in the regional tournament falling a run short after a valiant five run, two-out team effort in the bottom of the seventh inning.
The hugs and fist bumps had been given. The final task was to load up on the bus and head home from Newton. However, just before Lainey stepped onto the Hays High bus, a coach from Coffeyville Community College stopped the Indians' centerfielder and had an offer. The offer was to play softball for the Red Ravens in Coffeyville.
Tuesday inside Hays High gym "A" the 2022 grad signed her National Letter of Intent to play softball beyond high school.
Lainey Hardman
Hardman had the main role of pinch/courtesy runner for the Indians over the first half of the season with getting plate appearances in roughly half those games.
Abby Gillan remembers the moment that the senior game to her and said, "I think I can do more." The coach gave her the chance, and Hardman never left the lineup again, finishing the season with a .486 batting average and .538 with runners in scoring position. She finished third in both categories and led the team with three home runs. Hardman also led team in steals and was never thrown out trying to steal.
Coach Abby Gillan
Hardman said that the deciding factor of rather to play in college or not was she just wasn't ready to put down the equipment quite yet. There is more softball to be played and for Lainey Hardman it will be at Coffeyville Community College.