Overbay shines in USSSA all-state game

Emalee Overbay poses for a picture with Kansas coach Sam Ramirez following the Best of the Best USSSA All-State game. Overbay put up a four-hit performance to go along with a double and a pair of RBIs.

Emalee Overbay has played softball for almost as long as she can remember.

Her summers were always filled with nights at the ball park or countless hours of practice. However, her final summer before college turned out to be a memorable one.

Overbay, a 2017 Louisburg High School graduate, was selected to participate in the Best of the Best USSSA All-State Game and represent Team Kansas against Missouri on Aug. 6. She didn’t disappoint as she put together an all-star performance as she finished with four hits, a double, a walk, two RBIs and a run scored.

She was selected to the all-state contest due to her performance earlier in the summer with her team, KC Crossfire.

“It really was a great experience,” Overbay said. “It was an honor to be selected and I met several new friends that I probably wouldn’t have met otherwise. It was a great way to end the summer before I head off to school.”

Although Overbay, the team’s catcher, had a great day at the plate, she also had a learning experience as she caught several different pitchers that are moving on to the college ranks. One of those players was a pitcher from her KC Crossfire team, but she also had to adjust to working with pitchers she had never met before.

It was a useful teaching moment for her as she will have to do the same thing when she reports to her Bethel College team later this week.

“I definitely learned a lot from catching those different pitchers because each of them had their own tendencies and the way they liked to do things,” Overbay said. “I am so grateful for the opportunity and hopefully some of the stuff I learned will carry over to college.”

Overbay will report to Bethel College on Aug. 19 and the transformation into a college softball player will begin. With that will be some nervousness, but this summer provided Overbay with experiences that will keep those emotions to a minimum.

“I was fortunate enough to play in an 18-and-under league this summer and a lot of those girls I went up against had already played in a college for a year,” Overbay said. “I felt that I could hold my own against a lot of the girls so it gives me a lot more confidence as I get ready to play at the next level. I think I am more prepared as well.

“I am a little anxious about it, but I am excited to get to school and start another journey. I definitely couldn’t have done all this without the support of my family and friends and I just want to thank them for helping me along the way.”