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LASER-FOCUSED: Nutter, Barbers Hill on a mission this Spring
AS IS THE CASE FOR ANY CHAMPIONSHIP-CALIBER SOFTBALL TEAM, SUCCESS BEGINS WITH THE CAPABILITY OF A PROGRAM’S BULL-PEN TO PERFORM UNDER PRESSURE.
Fortunately for Barbers Hill, their starting pitcher Hailey Nutter has a knack for that sort of thing, which has made her one of the best pitchers in the state of Texas.
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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PLAY BALL: Barbers Hill Favored to Reach State in 2024
No. 1 Barbers Hill Eagles
Barbers Hill is not far removed from winning a Class 5A State Championship, capturing it back in 2021.
Last year, Barbers Hill went 39-6 overall and reached the Regional Semifinals before falling to eventual State Champion Lake Creek in a pair of nail-biting losses (1-0, 5-3 in nine innings).
Now, the Eagles want to get back on top in 2024.
Six starters are back for Aaron Fuller’s (376 overall wins, 293 at Barbers Hill) crew.
Kentucky-commit Hailey Nutter (27-5 Record, 1.09 ERA, 291 K’s) and Sam Houston-commit Peyton Helmly (.276 Avg., 12 doubles, 4 HR, 37 RBI) headline the crew as the reigning District MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, respectively.
Other players to watch include Brookelyn Livanec (Wichita State), Harper Gonzalez (LeTourneau), Kennedy Porter (Arlington Baptist), Bre Norman (San Jac), Kamryn Bishop, Emma Hargrave, Kalyln Koester, Ella Mangus, Emerson Naismith, AshLynn Cooper, Macie Bryant, Savannah Barrientos, Aybrie Corona, Izzy Lawrence and JosLynn Cooper.