It’s been a week to remember for Ashton Whiles.
The Lady Pioneer senior slugger rewrote the school’s record books with her 18th career home run Wednesday night, then signed a college scholarship to attend Cumberland University on Thursday morning.
Even after having a night to process her record-setting swing, Whiles is still in disbelief about breaking the school’s home-run record and extending her softball career in the span of 24 hours.
“It still doesn’t feel real,” said Whiles. “This is one of best times for me. Wednesday night, I was elated. After I hit it, I ran around the bases saying, ‘Thank you Jesus.’ I didn’t think I could do it.”
Her blast left no doubt.
Whiles set the record on the first pitch she saw in the fourth inning, rocketing a three-run shot over the scoreboard in left field at Cookeville. Whiles sprinted around the bags before being mobbed at the plate by her teammates.
Two innings later, she did it again with the bases loaded.
After falling behind 0-2, Whiles battled back and got a pitch to drive. Whiles sent a soaring shot into the left-center gap, with two Cookeville defenders trying to catch up. The grand slam cleared the wall, though Whiles didn’t realize the ball was out until she rounded second.
Her confusion, with outstretched hands asking her coach where the ball was, turned into another celebration at the plate.
Before action started Wednesday, coach Gooby Martin believed it was the right night for Whiles to make history. He was happy to see his prediction come true.
“She has so much power. She’s been so close for a couple weeks, so we knew it was a matter of time,” said Martin. “Ashton has worked extremely hard for it. Her improvement over four years has been a sight to see. I’m glad she got it over with because I think she can relax and finish strong.”
Whiles admitted she had given up hope over the last few weeks after tying Lauren Wilkinson’s record of 17 home runs April 12.
“At first, I was psyched out. I was trying to hit the bottom of the ball, then I just gave up and thought, ‘If I do it, I do it.’ When I finally did it, it just felt like a dream,” said Whiles.
Cumberland coach Heather Stanfill is happy to have Whiles locked in to suit up for the Phoenix next year. Stanfill found out about the Lady Pioneer power hitter from a rival and went to work getting her signed.
“It’s a cool thing. The coach at DeKalb County told me about Ashton and said, ‘You need this kid,’” said Stanfill. “I got to watch her play and I knew she was definitely going to be able to come in and make an impact. She’s a strong player. She can swing it.”
Whiles, who began playing softball at 4, realized during high school she wasn’t ready to give up on her favorite sport. Cumberland University provided everything she needed to continue her career.
“I really like the campus and all the girls are really nice,” said Whiles. “It was important too because it had my major (nursing) and the professors are willing to help. It fit my needs academically and the coach is really awesome.”
Whiles may think it’s a dream, but her signature Thursday made it a reality. She’ll be a college softball player in the fall.
