Independence head softball coach Ken Adkins has only had two shortstops play for him during his tenure.
All-star Nicole Kester went on to star at WVU Tech and now his second mainstay is looking to the do the same at Glenville State University.
Friday afternoon with a room full of family, teammates, friends and coaches, Alli Hypes signed a National letter of Intent to play softball next year for the Pioneers.
“This is crazy and exciting. I have a lot of emotions today,” Hypes said. “I thought this day would come, but I wasn’t sure. It’s always been a dream of mine for sure.”
Like many solid players, Hypes hit the diamond first in T-ball and moved over to softball around the age of seven.
The sport became a little more serious for the Indy senior during her seventh grade year in school.
“I played a bunch of other sports, but softball became my main sport then,” Hypes explained. “I started playing travel ball for the West Virginia Stars before traveling with the high school team in the summer and fall.”
While there was no doubt she would play high school softball, an odd turn of events placed her as the starting shortstop as a freshman.
“Had we not had that Covid year where no softball was played, Kendall Martin would have probably been the shortstop and Alli would have been an outfielder or my second baseman when she came up the next season,” Independence head coach Ken Adkins said. “When Alli came up I had lost my center-fielder from the year before and Kendall really impressed me there.”
There of course were some growing pains, but Hypes seemed tailor-made for the toughest position on the field.
“I told her not to fret because Nicole struggled some her first year. I ask a lot of the shortstop,” Adkins said. “High school is a lot different than anything else and you have to maintain it over seven innings. It is a tough deal, but she embraced it. You have to be a little cocky because you field the most balls and typically make the most plays on the field outside of the pitcher.”
Outside of her play on the field, Adkins has been impressed with Hypes in regards to being coachable and her ability to mentor younger players along the way.
“Every ting I have ever asked her to do, she has embraced it, whether she agreed with me or not,” Adkins said, laughing. “I have confidence in her. She is a great kid and probably one of the hardest workers I have ever had here.”
“Every year I have watched her gain more confidence and she has become more of a leader,” Adkins went on to say. “She was respectful of our seniors, but even as a young player, she was kind of the unofficial leader. She is a great teammate and embraces our younger players. I could not be happier for her.”
Glenville being the next destination after high school somehow seemed like it was always meant to be for Hypes.
“My dad played football there in the 90’s, so my brother and I grew up being Glenville State fans. They have great facilities, a great turf field and Nike uniforms,” Hypes said, smiling. “They have a lot of nice things.”
Hypes has also had a longstanding relationship with Glenville State head coach Sara Scoone.
“We do an annual three-day camp here at Independence in June each year,” Hypes said. “Coach Scoone has been here for the camps, so I have been with her since seventh grade.”
While the Indy star is interested in a possible degree in criminal just, Adkins is convinced she will ready to commit some crimes on opposing pitchers from the get-go in college.
“She has seen good competition. It is one thing to pick a player with big stats, but if they haven’t played tough teams, they are not ready,” Adkins said. “We have played a lot of Division I pitchers and girls that have gone on to be successful. Alli has been there and done that. College coaches see that and embrace it.”