Local softball fans have been watching Ashton Neumann pound out hits for over a decade, and they’ll get to see her in a Pratt jersey for two more years.
Neumann, a senior at Pratt High School, recently signed a letter of intent to play softball at Pratt Community College.
She is the daughter of John and Patti Neumann of Pratt, and has been playing softball since the age of five.
Four years ago, Neumann first put on the PHS Lady Greenback uniform, and she has been a mainstay on the Pratt varsity ever since.
“One of the things that stands out about Ashton is her toughness,” Forshee said. “I can’t remember a time thta she wasn’t banged-up or hurt, and Ash has never complained. That rubs off on everyone else.”
As a freshman, she earned honorable mention All-League honors as a catcher, plus earned the first of four varsity letters for Forshee’s squad.
“As a freshman, she stepped in when we needed her and caught at the varsity level,” Forshee commented. “She is a leader by example that goes out and does everything you ask her to do.”
As a sophomore, Neumann moved to the shortstop position, where she has enjoyed great success for the Lady Greenbacks.
During her sophomore year, Neumann was the MSAA’s All-League shortstop, plus she received Honorable Mention All-Area honors from the Hutchinson News.
That year, Pratt finished as Class 4A Regional runners-up.
A year ago, Neumann was a leader on Pratt’s Regional Champion team that finished 15-8 overall.
The Lady Greenbacks cruised through the regional tournament, capping a stellar three-game stretch with a a 13-1 win over Russell in the championship game.
In that one, Neumann had three singles and drove in six runs, plus was part of an error-free PHS defense.
After the season was completed, Neumann was recognized as an Honorable Mention All-Area infielder by the Hutchinson News, and she received First-Team All-State honors from the Kansas Softball Coaches Association.
“Ashton hit third in the lineup and was clutch for us all year,” Forshee said at the time. “When we needed a big hit, she supplied it.”
He also noted that Neumann and fellow All-Stater Rebecca Slief “were as solid as you can be on the left side of our defense,” calling both players “automatic when anything came their way.”
The Lady Greenbacks will return all but three players off that squad as they look to make it back-to-back regional titles in 2010.
Neumann, who was recently named to the Hovpen Sports Pre-Season Top Softball Players to Watch in Kansas list, figures to be an important part of the lineup.
“She understands the little things it takes to be successful,” Forshee said.
Once the Lady Greenbacks complete their season, Neumann will play another summer with the Kansas Renegades, a traveling team based in Wichita.
She has played shortstop for the Renegades during the past four summers as they compete in A and Gold level tournaments across the Midwest.
Neumann has also played for the Pratt Cats and Salt City Crush teams in past years.
PCC coach Ron Hill is excited to have Neumann on her way to his dugout.
“She is a local kid who has shown commitment,” he said. “She is somebody who’s gone out and tried to make herself better. She’s played at a very competitive level in summer ball and she’s the type of athlete that we really want. We’re excited to have her.”
Neumann is also excited to be joining the Beavers’ successful program.
“I want to stay at home close to my family and they have a good program,” she said.
At PCC, Neumann plans to major in sport science-pre-physical therapy.
Upon completing her two years as a Beaver, she plans to attend the University of Kansas to complete her physical therapy degree.
She has also played volleyball and basketball at PHS while being a member of the band, KAY club and pep club.
|
|
|
Local softball fans have been watching Ashton Neumann pound out hits for over a decade, and they’ll get to see her in a Pratt jersey for two more years.
Neumann, a senior at Pratt High School, recently signed a letter of intent to play softball at Pratt Community College.
She is the daughter of John and Patti Neumann of Pratt, and has been playing softball since the age of five.
Four years ago, Neumann first put on the PHS Lady Greenback uniform, and she has been a mainstay on the Pratt varsity ever since.
“One of the things that stands out about Ashton is her toughness,” Forshee said. “I can’t remember a time thta she wasn’t banged-up or hurt, and Ash has never complained. That rubs off on everyone else.”
As a freshman, she earned honorable mention All-League honors as a catcher, plus earned the first of four varsity letters for Forshee’s squad.
“As a freshman, she stepped in when we needed her and caught at the varsity level,” Forshee commented. “She is a leader by example that goes out and does everything you ask her to do.”
As a sophomore, Neumann moved to the shortstop position, where she has enjoyed great success for the Lady Greenbacks.
During her sophomore year, Neumann was the MSAA’s All-League shortstop, plus she received Honorable Mention All-Area honors from the Hutchinson News.
That year, Pratt finished as Class 4A Regional runners-up.
A year ago, Neumann was a leader on Pratt’s Regional Champion team that finished 15-8 overall.
The Lady Greenbacks cruised through the regional tournament, capping a stellar three-game stretch with a a 13-1 win over Russell in the championship game.
In that one, Neumann had three singles and drove in six runs, plus was part of an error-free PHS defense.
After the season was completed, Neumann was recognized as an Honorable Mention All-Area infielder by the Hutchinson News, and she received First-Team All-State honors from the Kansas Softball Coaches Association.
“Ashton hit third in the lineup and was clutch for us all year,” Forshee said at the time. “When we needed a big hit, she supplied it.”
He also noted that Neumann and fellow All-Stater Rebecca Slief “were as solid as you can be on the left side of our defense,” calling both players “automatic when anything came their way.”
The Lady Greenbacks will return all but three players off that squad as they look to make it back-to-back regional titles in 2010.
Neumann, who was recently named to the Hovpen Sports Pre-Season Top Softball Players to Watch in Kansas list, figures to be an important part of the lineup.
“She understands the little things it takes to be successful,” Forshee said.
Once the Lady Greenbacks complete their season, Neumann will play another summer with the Kansas Renegades, a traveling team based in Wichita.
She has played shortstop for the Renegades during the past four summers as they compete in A and Gold level tournaments across the Midwest.
Neumann has also played for the Pratt Cats and Salt City Crush teams in past years.
PCC coach Ron Hill is excited to have Neumann on her way to his dugout.
“She is a local kid who has shown commitment,” he said. “She is somebody who’s gone out and tried to make herself better. She’s played at a very competitive level in summer ball and she’s the type of athlete that we really want. We’re excited to have her.”
Neumann is also excited to be joining the Beavers’ successful program.
“I want to stay at home close to my family and they have a good program,” she said.
At PCC, Neumann plans to major in sport science-pre-physical therapy.
Upon completing her two years as a Beaver, she plans to attend the University of Kansas to complete her physical therapy degree.
She has also played volleyball and basketball at PHS while being a member of the band, KAY club and pep club.
