February 6, 2018
By:
Another outstanding DCHS softball player has signed a letter of intent with Cumberland University of Lebanon to play collegiate ball after she graduates here.
17 year old Kristena Bain, a senior, put pen to paper Wednesday at the DCHS library. Members of Bain’s family, coaches, and fellow players joined her for the occasion.
Cumberland is a member of the Mid-South Conference affiliated with the NAIA.
“The reason I chose Cumberland University was because the school is local and they have a good athletic program and a good nursing program and that is what I plan to major in,” said Kristena.
“I believe Kristena is our fourth or fifth athlete from DeKalb County. We have always had good players from DeKalb County High School and we expect the same from her,” said Assistant Cumberland Varsity Coach and Head JV Coach, Stephanie Theall. Heather Stanfill is the Head Coach at Cumberland.
Tigerette Coach Danny Fish said he is very happy that Kristena will have a chance to play softball at the collegiate level.
“She has been a very hard worker over her career here playing for the Tigerettes. She has come a long way. I can remember hitting with her when she was in the sixth grade and it was a goal of hers to be where she is at today. She is a very goal oriented athlete. She has been behind the plate for us the last three years and she will be back there again this year. We expect good things out of her. She is a very charismatic leader and she really puts everything she has in what she does. Offensively, she swings the bat pretty well but we’re going to ask her to step up her game this year. We want her to get a lot more at bats. Defensively behind the plate we thought we would have a problem when Dani Meadows graduated but she (Kristena) has really slipped into that (role) and been a relentless worker and teammate and because of that we are here today. I am very happy for her. This is a good moment for Kristena,” said Coach Fish.
Before she heads off to college, Kristena has one more high school season in front of her and she is looking forward to it.
“I hope to put in some big hits this season and score some runs and I hope our pitching game steps up and we all hit the way we are supposed to,” said Kristena.
Coach Fish said the DCHS Tigerette softball season begins March 12. “We open up with district play right away and then we will jump into a tournament. We have a really tough schedule this year. We’re going down to Gulf Shores during spring break. It should be an interesting year. We graduated a lot of seniors last year and all of them are playing at the college level now so we have big shoes to fill but our seniors know what it takes to win and I am hoping they will lead the team by example and that we will have a chance to be back where we normally are at the state tournament,” said Coach Fish.
Kristena was joined at the signing by her parents, Bobby Rader and Ann Rader; DCHS Tigerette head coach Danny Fish and assistants Melissa Ruch and Tim Jared, Cumberland Assistant Coach Stephanie Theall; Randy Farnsworth, Kristena’s summer travel league ball coach, along with her brothers and fellow Tigerette teammates.