New Franklin senior softball players Heaven-Lee Hundley and Jayna Matthews signed letters of intent Friday to continue their softball careers at Central Methodist University next year.

Both girls anchored the outfield for the 20-8 Lady Bulldogs last fall. New Franklin coach Sam Crowley said she is excited to see the pair go on to continue their softball careers at the college level.

“I’m excited that they get a few more years of playing. They’re very passionate, and they love the game of softball,” Crowley said.

For Central, the team is a little shorthanded in outfielders. Assistant coach Gene Reardon was on hand for the signing and said the opportunities are there for Hundley and Matthews to compete for those positions.

“We always talk about competition, so they’ll be in there trying to figure out where they fit in and what they need to do to get better.”

Coach Reardon said the girls’ grades and work ethic are what attracted him to recruit. “We always look for girls who are academically on top of stuff. And they’re hard workers. They’re the kind of kids you look for to hold up your program.”

For Matthews, another perk is playing again with former New Franklin teammates Abygale Maupin and Kayce Hundley. 

“I’m super excited. Gene and Pat [Reardon] are really good coaches. And getting to play with my sister again is going to be very exciting,” Matthews said. In the classroom, she plans to major in early education.

Hundley will major in English with a focus on journalism. “I really wanted to continue softball because it’s my passion. And doing that with Jayna made it better because Central gave us that option.”

Central Methodist finished 42-7 overall and 27-1 in the Heart last season, going 2-2 in the NAIA National Championship Opening Round. The Lady Eagles open this season with four games in two days on February 10 and 11 in Alexandria, Louisiana. They open home play at the newly renovated Cox Softball Complex with a doubleheader against Cottey on Sunday, February 26.