Amazing improvement.
That’s a couple of the key terms that Durant High School softball coach Jimmie Wyrick used to describe senior center fielder Raelynn Clark.
The fleet-footed spark plug was one of the integral parts of the Lady Lion softball charge this past season, and with that success was able to advance her playing career to the next level – something she had dreamed of since she began playing the sport around fourth grade.
Clark recently signed a scholarship offer from Carl Albert State College in Poteau and will join the Lady Viking program next year.
“It’s such a blessing and something that I am extremely excited about,” Clark commented. “I knew I wanted to play in college since I started playing in fourth grade. I didn’t know if I would get the chance but after my junior season, I knew it was time if I was going to play in college.
“I put in so much more work than I had in previous years and went from not having a lot of confidence in myself to where I am today. I guess it was kind of a mental thing. I didn’t know how good I was, but Coach Wyrick and our assistant coaches believed in me. I learned so much from them in the time I was here. I’ve never been more thankful for coaches than I am now.”
Clark arrived on the scene in Durant midway through her high school career and was a mainstay in centerfield with her athletic ability over the course of her final two seasons.
As a junior, she struggled at times offensively while spending much of the season in the eighth position in the lineup on another Lady Lions state tournament squad. She batted .290 with three extra base hits, 10 runs batted in and 13 runs scored while stealing three bases in four tries.
After an incredible off-season, those statistical numbers exploded as she moved into the leadoff slot in the order as the squad’s run-scoring table setter.
Clark sported a .325 batting average but led the team in every other offensive category as 15 of her 26 hits on the season went for extra bases. She had nine doubles, two triples and four homers, adding 18 RBI and 29 runs scored.
That doesn’t even include a phenomenal season defensively that was dotted with regular diving catches in the outfield gaps that she made looked rather effortless.
“Raelynn was just a tremendous defensive outfielder for us both years that I had her,” Wyrick said. “If there was a ball hit deep or to the gap, she made it look easy most of the time. Her arm was outstanding as well. She was one of the best defensive outfielders that I have coached. She put everything together her senior year, both offensively and defensively, to lead us. It amazed me some of the balls she was able to get to. It was really fun to watch. There’s a skill to being a good outfielder and reading the ball off the bat and Raelynn definitely has those instincts and a knack for doing it.
“It was amazing how much she developed in the off season and summer to become the best player she could be. She was there every single day. Earning a scholarship is just a testament to her hard work and she is proof that time spent developing a skill pays off. There’s no secret recipe or short cut. She is just a great kid and fun to be around. She was a spark plug on and off the field for us and I think she could have a great college career if she finds the right fit. We are going to miss her a lot.”
Clark will be looking to help the Lady Viking program improve on back-to-back 15-win campaigns in 2023 and 2024 for head coach Lexi Watson.
“Coach Watson is one of nicest people I have ever met,” Clark added. “The players were very welcoming on my visit. I heard so many great things about Carl Albert and the campus wasn’t too big or too small. It just seemed like a perfect fit.”
