Jun. 14—LESTER — Lilly Bethune said it was something she used to dream about.
It takes a lot to be a great softball player, but even more to be the kind of player who makes a mark on the record books.
West Limestone’s Bethune was just that.
Bethune, The Decatur Daily’s Class 1A-4A softball Player of the Year, closed her Wildcat career this season by hitting .541 with 31 home runs and 91 RBIs. Her 31 homers were tied for most in the nation and she was named Hitter of the Year in Class 4A by the Alabama Sportswriters Association.
Together with head coach Molly Fenn, the Daily’s Class 1A-4A Coach of the Year, she helped lead a team that went 44-7 and scored 445 runs.
Along the way she also broke every hitting record ever set at West Limestone High School and also finished third all-time in the AHSAA for most career home runs with 81.
Talk about a solid career.
“Being able to do those things, it was always a dream I had,” Bethune said. “To be able to sit here and say I actually did it, that’s pretty cool.”
It may be cliche, but to put up those kinds of statistics takes plenty of hard work. Fenn said a player like Bethune is rare.
“She took her game to the next level with every season she played. Even the jump she made from her junior year to her senior year was incredible,” Fenn said. “It’s a testament to all the hard work she put in.”
“I’ve coached a lot of great players and I’ve seen a lot of great players. I would put Lilly up against any of them,” Fenn added.
As Bethune prepares to depart for Middle Tennessee State to continue her softball career, her name will remain in the record books both at West Limestone and in the state of Alabama.
That’s something she said she doesn’t take for granted as it’s a goal she and her dad have talked about for years.
“Ever since I was little, my dad and I would talk about being able to accomplish great things,” Bethune said. “Being able to do it with him coaching me, it’s something I’ll never forget.”
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Breaking down the wall
A year after a 38-win season, Fenn led the Wildcats to an even better year, finishing with 44 wins.
Fenn said this team had something special.
“Every team has ups and downs, but this team, it would only be a day at most. We have one tough loss and then immediately bounce back the next game,” Fenn said. “I’ve been a part of a lot of great teams, but this one was a blessing. Every day, every game was a blast.”
Despite their success, the Wildcats once again were unable to reach their first state tournament since 2003, coming up a game short for the second consecutive season.
But while Fenn said it was disappointing their worst day of the season came on the second day of the North Regional tournament, she also said she believes their continued success will soon lead to them to breaking that state tournament streak.
“We had a great opportunity this season, but 4A softball is tough and unfortunately it just wasn’t our year yet,” Fenn said. “I think we’re building something great here though, and eventually we will break down that wall.”
— caleb.suggs@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2395. Twitter @CalebSuggs2