THE NATURAL

It’s not hard to pick out Kinley Pope in an already-loaded MAC softball lineup. The Charlo shortstop has statistics that might break the equations from “Moneyball” and a defensive ability that keeps opposing players off the basepaths. While softball isn’t the only sport she excels at - you may have seen her terrorizing the court in volleyball and basketball for the Lady Vikings - it’s the sport she’ll be taking a big step in as a collegiate athlete.

It’s not hard to pick out Kinley Pope in an already-loaded MAC softball lineup. The Charlo shortstop has statistics that might break the equations from “Moneyball” and a defensive ability that keeps opposing players off the basepaths. While softball isn’t the only sport she excels at - you may have seen her terrorizing the court in volleyball and basketball for the Lady Vikings - it’s the sport she’ll be taking a big step in as a collegiate athlete.

“I have been playing softball since I was about 5,” Pope said. “I started out in T-Ball and have been playing ever since. What I like most about softball is it’s kind of an individual sport, but then it’s not. My team always has my back, but I only have to worry about myself and what I bring to the team.”

Pope has signed to play for college softball power Wenatchee Valley College in Washington state. The school has made the NWAACC Championship Tournament 10 out of the last 11 seasons and have been to five straight Eastern Region Championships. Pope should fit right in since she’s no stranger to postseason softball.

Last season, Pope had her best memory as a member of the Lady Bulldogs softball team, with MAC coming from behind in the bottom of the seventh to beat Florence for the Western B Divisional Championship.

“The MAC softball team has had success because we work hard,” Pope said. “We always put forth our best efforts and we have each other’s backs.”

Pope doesn’t stop playing softball after the season ends either. She’s been putting in countless hours of time during the summer playing ASA ball which has increased her skill set and made her a valuable college recruit.

“I have put so much time into the sport,” Pope said. “I have been playing summer softball since 14U and that takes up a lot of time and dedication. I have also been to numerous tournaments, playing against girls that come from AA and AAA schools. Playing against them has definitely made me a better player.”

It’s a work ethic that isn’t lost on MAC softball coach Susan Weaselhead, who sees Pope’s ethics rub off on MAC players.

“Kinley is a true leader,” Weaselhead said. “She leads by example with her peers mostly by her hard work. She’s always working on certain things and doing whatever she needs to do to get better. She adds a lot of drive and inspiration for a lot of the younger players.”

Weaselhead was also very complimentary of not just the work that Pope does on the field but also in the classroom, adding that she’s a tremendous student-athlete. Pope said that she had always dreamed of playing college softball and seriously started considering it during her junior year.

“My parents and I put in a lot of time sending out letters to coaches and even making a skills video,” Pope said. “I also played with the Missoula Avalanche this summer and we went to many college-exposure tournaments.”

Pope got to visit Wenatchee Community College, located in the city of Wenatchee, this spring.

“I went and watched them play two games and I also got to practice with the girls,” Pope said. “I love the way that Coach [Shelly] Pflugrath coaches and I also loved that the girls were one big family. Even when I was just practicing with them they treated me like one of their teammates.”

Pope will be under good company with Pflugrath, who is the two-time NFCA National Coach of the Year and a three-time Eastern Region Coach of the Year.

She’ll also be in an area that’s a bit bigger than the Mission Valley. Wenatchee, known for its apple orchards and wineries, has just over 30,000 people in the city limits and over 100,000 people in the metro area.

Wenatchee Valley has just over 3,300 students enrolled.

“When I went down of my visit, I loved the area,” Pope said. “It was obviously a lot bigger then Charlo and I am excited about that. The school is also small, which was what I was looking for. I wanted to have one-on-one with the professors and I also wanted smaller class sizes. I also know that the softball program is amazing.”

For anyone that’s seen Pope play basketball, softball or volleyball knows that she can get intense in competition. That should serve her well on the college level where everyone is there to do work.

“I am so excited to have the opportunity,” Pope said. “I think that the intensity level of the game will differ from that in high school. I also think I will have more of an opportunity to better myself once I get to college.”

But still, Pope has some great memories playing for MAC and Charlo, one of them includes Lady Vikings head coach Bret Thompson.

“It’s really hard to pick a favorite memory from playing in Charlo because I have had so many, but I would probably have to say my best memory from playing in Charlo is when we beat White Sulfur Springs to get into the divisional championship,” Pope said. “Everyone was crying and Coach Thompson came into the locker room and was fist pumping and screamed ‘Show me the money!’”

Pope said that her biggest inspiration through the years has been her parents, with her mom and step-dad Mark driving her to countless tournaments, practices and games.

“They have always been there to support me and I always feel a little bit better when they are in the stands watching my games, no matter the sport,” Pope said.

Pope was also very appreciative of all her coaches throughout the years, including her uncle Brad Long, Tom Kenney, Thompson, Sheryl Kain, Larry Smith, Larry Focher and Todd White.

“These coaches have pushed me to be the best I can be and I really owe them,” Pope said.