LocalSportsJournal.com

Katie Hendrickson definitely did not get rusty over the winter.

The Muskegon Community College softball standout started the season on a tear, both as a pitcherLSJ Logo incert and a hitter, during the Jayhawks’ recently completed spring trip to Florida.

On the mound she posted a 5-1 record with 26 strikeouts, nine walks and a sparkling 1.85 ERA.

At the plate she hit .463 with 19 hits in 42 at bats, including two homers, eight doubles and 15 RBIs.

Her offensive production got the most attention. That became obvious Tuesday when Hendrickson was named the National Junior College Athletic Association Division 2 Player of the Week.hendrickson

She was also a nominee for Pitcher of the Week, but that award went to someone else.

The honor may be the first of many this year for Hendrickson, who was a Division 2 All-American last season for the Jayhawks.

“She hit 15 home runs for us last season, and she was sick and missed about 12 games,” said MCC softball coach Ryan Schalk. “I think she’s a more complete hitter than she was last year. She already has eight doubles, and she only had four last season.”

Hendrickson helped MCC post a very impressive 10-2 record on its Florida trip.

With Hendrickson, fellow All-American Morgan Giddings, starting pitcher Alexis Carpenter, and six other sophomores returning from last year’s 33-win team, the Jayhawks are expecting big things this season.

MCC is currently ranked sixth in the nation among NJCAA Division 2 college teams.

The Jayhawks will begin the main part of their schedule with a road game against the Davenport College junior varsity squad on Thursday, followed by road games at Macomb Community College on Saturday and Oakland Community College next Tuesday.

Their home opener is Friday, March 25 against Lake Michigan College at 3 p.m.