The four seniors who will each play their final game on the diamond Wednesday, April 30, for Sedona Red Rock High School have followed four divergent paths in their high school careers.

Center fielder Khalie Barber and catcher Randi Hatcher have made their mark in softball at SRRHS gradually and sharply, while pitcher and shortstop Carlos Rodriguez, along with outfielder Juan Carlos, look to keep making their mark in baseball, whether competitively or casually, well after their high school careers are over.

Of all the softball players at all the schools across the state of Arizona, only six have a better batting average this season than Hatcher — and two of those have played in fewer games than the Orange County, Calif., transplant who returned to the game this season after a two-year absence.

“It’s kind of like, unbelievable,” she said. “I’ve never had a batting average like I’ve had this year. I definitely feel fulfilled; I feel like I’ve accomplished a lot.”

Hatcher added to her .667 average in the Scorpions’ 11-5 loss at Combs High School by going four for five with three runs batted in.

“I had never played catcher before,” she said. “I played first base on varsity at Woodridge High School in Irvine, Calif., my freshman year. Then I moved to Huntington Beach and played second on a travel team.

“Then I came here. I was really emotional getting back into it. I couldn’t be more grateful to the coaches. I told them I’d be willing to take that position because I know how important the position is. Having a role being catcher is a little more fulfilling than playing a position I’ve had my whole life.”

Hatcher plans on attending Coconino Community College and continuing to play softball in some form, possibly through the club team at Northern Arizona University.

For the full story, please see the Wednesday, April 30, issue of the Sedona Red Rock News.