Katie Gentle signs with Wallace State
Hartselle’s Katie Gentle signs a letter of intent to play softball for Wallace State Community College. Sharing the special occasion with the senior outfielder are her parents, Mike and Melanie Gentle (seated)) and her grandparents, Leonard and Carolyn Gentle, assistant coach Nathan Kimbrell, head coach Daniel Bates and Athletic director Johnny Berry (standing from left). | Clif Knight
Hartselle High School’s softball program has placed another of its senior players in the collegiate ranks.
Katie Gentle, senior centerfielder, signed a letter of intent to play for Wallace State Community College recently and was honored with a reception in the school cafeteria on Friday. Three of her senior teammates preceded her with similar honors.
The signing event was attended by her parents, Mike and Melanie Gentle, her paternal grandparents, Leonard and Carolyn Gentle, coaches and teammates.
Gentle said she was recruited as an outfielder and is excited to have an opportunity to play for Wallace State.
“It has always been my dream to play softball in college,” Gentle said. “But first I want to have a good senior season and be a leader for this team. My goal is to help our team any way I can and win state.”
Gentle pointed to her parents as being her inspiration to work hard to become a good softball player.
“My dad has coached me all my life and my mom has always been there screaming and hollering as my number one cheerleader,” she pointed out.
“To say we’re proud of her would be an understatement,” said her father, Mike Gentle. “She has done an outstanding job and we want to see that continue through her high school career. Beyond that we feel she has developed mentally and physically to the point where she will be able to contribute at the college level.”
“We’re thankful we have Katie (Gentle) for another year,” said head coach Daniel Bates. “She’s an excellent athlete with good speed and hits the ball well.
“When she was a sophomore we moved her up from the junior varsity for the Bob Jones Tournament because we had some players injured. Although she didn’t play in that tournament she stayed on the team and helped us in area and regional competition. She stepped up to that challenge and has done well since.”
“I’m always happy to have players move up,” Bates added. “That says a lot about our players, their parents and the strength of our program.”
