State softball feature: Kittens' duo keeps winning: Duckwyler, Delaney having a blast, remain steady at the top
· Yahoo Sports
ASHLAND Brookelyn Duckwyler didn’t even have to look.
She knew it was gone.
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Duckwyler spent more time on base than off this year for Ashland. The junior stood on second base during the 16th Region semifinals when her teammate and fellow offensive aficionada, Jenna Delaney, stepped to the plate.
Delaney launched a 2-0 offering into the late Grayson night and belted a no-doubter over the center field fence. Duckwyler never had to glance back. It’s happened all season. She just raised her arms in celebration as she headed for home.
The Kittens have showcased their own version of the Bat Cats during their run to a region title. The club has a fearless and explosive fuse at the top to ignite a powerful lineup.
“I don’t know every roster in Kentucky up or down,” Ashland coach Scott Ingram said, “but you are going to have a hard time showing me a better duo in the state. If there is one, those two wouldn’t be far behind them. They are just outstanding.”
Ingram has to monitor his shoulder and his range of motion due to all the congratulatory high-fives that he’s doled out to his players as they rounded the bases this season.
Ashland has 49 team long balls, with Duckwyler (14) and Delaney (13) leading the way.
Ingram has concerns about the duo’s celebration habits, but they are just as encouraging when praising their teammates’ successes.
“If you go back or pay attention, I am afraid that one will concuss the other one,” Ingram said, “ because they have this celebration where they smack each other in the head. I think the best thing that you can attribute their success to, besides them being great players, and other than moms, dads and grandparents, B-Duck’s biggest fan is Little Delaney and Little Delaney’s biggest fan is B-Duck.”
Duckwyler holds a .508 batting average and leads the team with 60 hits, including 11 doubles. Delaney boasts a .450 average and also recorded 11 doubles this year, while knocking in a team-high 49 runs.
Both quickly point out that the batting order isn’t top-heavy. It contains hitting and run-producing ability from top to bottom.
“All I have to do is get on base, and I feel it’s a guaranteed run every time,” Duckwyler said. “I have Jenna behind me and then Zoey (Smith) behind her and then Paige (Harmon). Our lineup is very strong. I just want to get on base to help them out.”
Delaney feels that having so many offensive weapons around her keeps her motivated and determined.
“I think as a player and a teammate, it’s the best thing that you can have on a team,” Delaney said. “It’s not just you or you having to do everything. I have an entire team to depend on. If I don’t do what I am supposed to do at the plate or make an error, I can depend on a teammate to get the job done.”
It will be Ashland’s first softball trip to the state tournament since 2019, but Duckwyler and Delaney have played on the big stage multiple times as members of the basketball team.
The roundball Kittens won three of the last four 16th Region titles, each earning them a trip to Rupp Arena. On Friday night, they will experience a new environment three miles down the road at John Cropp Stadium.
“It’s awesome; who doesn’t like winning?” Delaney said. “It’s the greatest feeling ever. I hope to make some noise at the state tournament this year on the field this time, like we did on the court.
“It’s great having girls from basketball, like Brookelyn and Addison Wolfe, after experiencing the hype from there and bringing it down here (to the softball) field. It brings another level to the game.”
The pair played different roles on the basketball court than the main players on the field. Delaney is known more for her defense and physical presence. Duckwyler excelled in transition and as a scorer. Both can lean on that experience when leading a team that hasn’t experienced a state softball atmosphere.
“It’s great to do it in both sports,” Duckwyler said. “It’s not something that everybody gets to do. To be a main player and contribute to the team, and to finally win (a region title) on the softball field is a different feeling.
“People want to know my favorite sport,” she added. “It just depends on the season. The two sports are different in their own ways. One is more up-tempo, and one is more calm. They even each other out.”
Duckwyler doesn’t shy away from the spotlight or the action. It’s why the catcher position became so appealing to her.
“I just like being involved with every pitch,” Duckwyler said with a grin. “I can get bored out there. It helps me stay focused. It helps a lot.”
She’s also a fan of her leadoff spot in the lineup.
“I just want to get on base and get things started for my team,” Duckwyler said. “You just have to stay focused on every pitch thrown your way.”
Delaney takes a vested interest in her leadership role, and the rest of the Kittens lineup hasn’t disappointed. Ashland has nine players above or hovering around the .300 mark. Eighth grader Harmon has nine homers. Zoey Smith has tallied 41 RBIs and eight long balls. Senior Abby Lynch hit her first career home run during the region title game against Rowan County.
“I feel like I can take the pressure off of them,” Delaney said. “I can talk them through it and make sure they are nice and relaxed.
“I just loved it,” she added of Lynch’s championship home run. “I’ve gone back and looked at pictures, and we were all so ecstatic. It really shows how supportive we are as a team. We all ran out to home plate to greet her like we were the ones that hit it.”
The Kittens meet George Rogers Clark in the final state opening round game in Lexington Friday. The Ashland duo believes the team has prepared for this moment and remained determined to end their season in Lexington after three straight 16th Region final appearances.
“I am very excited,” Duckwyler said, “especially playing at nighttime. I am really feeling so many different emotions.”
“I think we will be the most relaxed players,” Delaney added. “We are used to the bigger stage and the bigger atmosphere, along with a higher level of play. Brookelyn and I can talk to the other girls and say how it’s just another field. We will be fine.”