WKU commit Anniston Bray sets KHSAA softball record at Model
RICHMOND, Ky. (BVM) – Model High School softball player Anniston Bray didn’t need a strong senior season to establish her reputation as one of the best in Kentucky. Having already excelled in three previous seasons where she played in 65 games registering a .580 batting average, .665 on base percentage, 119 hits, 46 RBIs, 124 runs and 56 stolen bases, Bray had already proven that she was going to be a factor in the 2022 season. Bray proved to be at the top of her game during her senior year, entering herself into state history as a last hurrah before leaving her Lady Patriots program.
During Model’s final game of the season, a 16-5 loss against Great Crossing during the first round of the Region 11 tournament, the senior went 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored. With her final performance, Bray earned sole possession of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association record for batting average in a season by hitting .750 with 45 hits in 60 at-bats.
“I had no clue what the record was or that I was even close to breaking it,” Bray said. “I knew that I had the top batting average in the state, but I didn’t know what the record was until after the game when one of my coaches told me. I was really proud of myself because a lot of people doubt me because I go to a small school or they don’t think I’m good enough to play [collegiately] but I think I proved something to myself and to other people.”
Bray would easily pass the previous record of .709 held by Heather Click of Knott County Central who held the record since 2006. The senior was a standout all season for the Lady Patriots, hitting .750 with 56 stolen bases, 48 runs scored, 45 hits, 26 walks, 16 RBIs, six doubles, four triples and two home runs. Equally impressive, Bray was also a perfect 56-for-56 on stolen base attempts.
“I’ve tried to focus on getting on base and playing for myself and my teammates,” Bray said. “I was just trying to prove something to everybody. A lot of people don’t think you can excel at a small school or get recruited out of a small school and I proved that you can.”
Though the season is not yet over for all Kentucky softball teams, Bray will finish near the top of the KHSAA in a number of categories including batting average, runs, base on balls and stolen bases, showing her skills as a well-rounded player. This idea of being an all-around softball player was instilled by Anniston’s father Rusty, who also happened to be her head coach during her time at Model.
“It’s been very special,” Rusty said. “I’d be lying to say I wasn’t waiting on her to get there just to coach her for a while. To see her grow as a player and person on and off the field was special. Anniston’s always been that player that was next level on our team or even in the district around our area.”
Anniston excelled not only statewide, but nationally as well as she is ranked within the top five in the country in on-base percentage and batting average.
“Anniston has always been fast on the bases so if she could get the ball in play she was going to be a hard out no matter what,” Rusty said. “She’s a known slapper, that’s her go to. She started swinging away some so that just gave her a whole new level of offense doing that.”
Prior to her record-breaking final season, Anniston had already done enough to impress college scouts across the country. While she had a number of programs to choose from, Anniston decided to stay in-state at Western Kentucky University, where she committed last June.
“I knew I wanted to stay pretty close to home, within a good driving distance,” Anniston said. “The coaches there [at Western] are amazing. I know they will teach me so much, they’re so kind…The location is perfect, I love the campus, the coaches. Some players from my [club] organization play there or have played there and they don’t have enough good words to say about it.”
@bray_fury @Jeremy_P_Higdon @FuryPlatinum @JillCHigdon @KaylaBixel @daniPUGH01 pic.twitter.com/so1SrQ3mdb
— Anniston Bray (@AnnistonBray) June 28, 2021
The Hilltoppers finished their season with a 38-13 record and a loss in the Conference USA Tournament championship game to North Texas. With the addition of Anniston to the lineup, WKU head coach Amy Tudor hopes that she can contribute in a multitude of ways to her Hilltoppers squad.
“Anniston is one of the two natural lefties in this group,” Tudor said in a press release following Anniston’s signing. “She is an outfielder who is smart, runs well and will bring versatility to the plate.”
“On the field I think I’ll be slapping there a lot,” Anniston said. “I think I’ll bring some speed to the lineup. I’m good at getting on base whether that’s a walk or a hit or getting hit by a pitch, just however that is. I think I’ll be good at that aspect for Western.”
Given Anniston’s strong final season with the Lady Patriots, Hilltoppers fans will be excited to add a player who has proven patience and experience at the plate well beyond her years. With Anniston added to the fold, bringing her strong batting reputation with her, expect WKU to remain competitors in Conference USA for years to come.
“I would really love to win a conference championship there,” Anniston said. “I’d love to go there and win a conference championship and be a big part of that. Also, I want to grow as a player and person. I think the coaches will teach me a lot about not just softball but life so I’m really excited to be there.”
