Joining Brownstown Central’s Rylin Huddleston at her college signing are, from left, her brother Jaxton, father Ryan, sister Kyndle, sister Jalyn and mom Lindsey.
Dylan Wallace | The Tribune
Joining Brownstown Central’s Rylin Huddleston at her college signing are, from left, travel ball coach Jamie Dillman and Brownstown head coach Darren Bryant.
Dylan Wallace | The Tribune
Brownstown Central’s Rylin Huddleston throws a pitch against Eastern earlier this season.
Jeff Lubker | For The Tribune
Brownstown Central senior Rylin Huddleston always wanted to play softball in college, and on April 26 in the trophy room at Brownstown Central High School, Huddleston made that goal a reality.
Surrounded by family, friends and teammates, Huddleston officially signed her national letter of intent to play collegiate softball at Hanover College.
“That has been my main goal,” Huddleston said. “I’ve just been trying to get myself out there and talk to coaches from different colleges.”
Huddleston was in talks with some other colleges, such as Anderson, IU Southeast and IUPUC, but Hanover really stuck out.
She went on visits to Hanover a couple of times with her travel softball team, the Indiana Gators, coached by Jamie Dillman, who helped get Huddleston connected with the Hanover coaches.
“It’s small,” Huddleston said. “There’s nothing around it, it has everything right on campus and it has a beautiful view of the river.”
Dillman was among many present last week to watch Huddleston sign the dotted line.
The BC senior prepared a short speech before signing to thank everyone for helping her along the journey.
“It really meant a lot,” she said. “I tried not to tear up or anything writing it, especially about my travel ball coach because he has been very helpful with me.”
Huddleston, who is Brownstown’s main ace right now, plans to pitch in college, as well.
She said her best pitches right now are her curveballs and changeups.
So far this season, the Braves are 11-5 and currently on a three-game winning streak.
“It has been really good,” Huddleston said. “We’re all close-knit, and when we’re on the field, we all have each other’s back. We’re like a really close family.”
Huddleston has pitched 43.1 innings this season and has 68 strikeouts. Brownstown gets to host sectional this year, and Huddleston said it’s one of the team’s main goals to win the sectional championship.
After she graduates from Brownstown, Huddleston will major in elementary education at Hanover. It has always been a passion of hers, and she currently teaches second-graders for a couple of hours a day at Brownstown Elementary School.
“That has definitely helped with my passion,” she said.
One of Huddleston’s teammates on the Indiana Gators also will be a freshman at Hanover next fall, so she’ll have some familiar faces.
All in all, Huddleston is relieved to have this college decision behind her and can’t wait to get that part of her life started.
“It made my life so much easier. I’ve had so much stress about where I want to go and countless trips trying to figure it out. When I finally made my decision, it was a huge weight off my chest,” she said. “I’m excited. I’m kind of ready for high school to be over and start the next chapter of my life.”