When Meredith Powell took over as Warhill High’s head softball coach in 2011, she called a team meeting in October to address the need for a pitcher.
Bridget Henzel, “this little tiny freshman,” Powell said, raised her hand and said if the team needed a pitcher, she would be willing to offer her services even if it had been a few years since she had thrown off a rubber. Not to mention she was a promising young catcher hoping to compete for a starting job.
“Bridget knew she was going to get beat up, and we went 0-19 that year,” Powell said. “But she took it. She never turned negative and kept a positive attitude amongst her teammates.”
That team-first attitude, combined with a stellar statistical senior season, is a big reason Henzel recently garnered national recognition from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
Henzel, who batted .449 with 12 extra-base base hits and 12 RBI out of the lead-off spot for the Lions this past spring, was named to the NFCA’s All-South Region first team, a list that includes players from Florida, Louisiana, Alabama Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia. Out of the hundreds of high school players who were nominated, Henzel was one of the 16 to be voted to the all-region first team.
“I really didn’t believe it at first,” said Henzel, who will play on scholarship next season for the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. “But then I was just excited to be recognized with girls who play for such powerhouse states. It’s a great honor.”
Powell said she could not think of a more deserving player, but was elated nonetheless when Henzel called to tell her she had been recognized earlier this week.
“It’s a huge, huge honor for her,” Powell said of Henzel, who has been a captain for the Lions since her sophomore year. “Her leadership and ability to lead by example stand out most, but athletically, to be her size, most wouldn’t think she’s a college catcher. But that’s because her drive and determination are second to none.”
A three-year starting catcher for Warhill, Henzel’s most impressive stats this season are zeroes. That’s the number of errors she committed and the number of times an opponent successfully stole a base against her.
“She was perfect behind the plate,” Powell added of Henzel’s senior season. “UVA Wise is getting a heck of a ballplayer and person in general.”
