BY TIME GAYLE
SPORTS WRITER – SPECIAL TO EAN
PRATTVILLE — The Prattville Lions held a signing ceremony for center fielder Jayden Kendrick on Monday as the senior accepted an offer from Marion Military Institute to continue her softball career.
“I’m very thankful for the opportunity,” she said. “I honestly didn’t think I was capable of getting an offer from anywhere. But with the help of Coach (Brian) Pittman and my teammates, I just kept grinding and it happened.”
Kendrick started her career at Wetumpka High, changing schools when her father’s job led him to Prattville. Throughout a season that will end in the 7A state tournament, Kendrick has had her ups and downs, driving in 19 RBIs with only 17 hits, managing just a .195 batting order but showing power with her four home runs.
“Jayden is a very powerful kid,” Pittman said. “She doesn’t really realize her potential yet. I watch her sometimes at batting practice and it’s nothing for her, out of 10 pitches, to hit seven or eight out. She’s got it all — great arm, can move, smart kid — but going to Jeff (Benson at MMI), he’s going to develop her and bring her more in tune to softball, day in, day out. It’s like we always talk about, there’s two things you can’t coach and that’s speed and power and she’s got one of them.”
Kendrick credited “all the help from Pittman” for her college offer and predicted her best days are in front of her.
“I really don’t know how much potential I have,” she said, “but as long as I keep working and keep striving, that’s all that matters.”
