ELIZABETHTOWN – With her friends and family in attendance, East Bladen senior Kayleigh Raynor signed Tuesday night to continue her softball career next year at Methodist University.
Raynor was a key 2-way performer as the Lady Eagles battled their way to a Class 2A state playoff spot. At the plate she batted .357 from her leadoff spot in the batting order, belting 20 hits, 8 doubles and 2 triples while scoring 17 runs.
In the pitching circle Raynor struck out 63 batters in 49 innings and posted 6 complete games and an earned run average of 2.92. During the 7-1 spurt that propelled East into the playoffs, she recorded key victories over Whiteville, Fairmont and East Columbus and saved a win against St. Pauls.
“Kayleigh is a wonderful young lady,” said Lady Eagle Coach Chris Davisson. “She is a great teammate who helps her teammates to be confident and push to become the best they can be. She was pivotal in our ability to make the playoffs.”
Raynor has been a fixture on All-Three Rivers Conference softball teams throughout her high school career earning All-TRC honors in 2018, 2019 and 2021. Due to the coronavirus there were no all-conference honors awarded in 2020.
“Kayleigh did a great job of pitching this year and motivated her teammates and in return they motivated her,” continued Davisson. “I will certainly miss Kayleigh and her influence as a player and the person who I had great conversations with. I wish her all the best as she moves forward in her life.”
Methodist University is member of the USA South Athletic Conference. The softball team is coached by Ron Simpson who has recorded 513 wins in his 23 years at the helm of the Lady Monarchs.
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