Addysyn Wettrick’s love of softball was on full display late in her junior season when she played outfield for the Shelbyville Golden Bears with a full cast on her throwing hand.
“That was very interesting,” admitted Wettrick. “Thankfully, only one ball got hit to me and it was one where I didn’t have to throw it in. It kind of felt cool.”
Now healthy and committed to playing softball at Manchester University in northern Indiana, Wettrick is looking forward to being a fixture in the outfield for the Golden Bears during her senior season.
“I am just hoping to have fun,” she said. “I am really good friends with the seniors this year so I am hoping to have one last good year with them.”
The daughter of Brandon and Brianna Wettrick, the senior will major in Biochemistry at Manchester.
“I am hoping to do Pharmacy,” said Wettrick. “I can do a doctorate (degree) in Pharmacy (at Manchester) if I decide to but I haven’t decided yet how far I want to go.”
What she is sure of is her desire to play collegiate softball.
“I don’t think I can imagine after high school not playing softball,” she said.
Wettrick moves into a starting outfielder role for the 2024 Golden Bears, who have produced at least 20 wins in three consecutive seasons and captured back-to-back sectional titles.
She suffered a broken bone in her right hand while diving for a ball in the outfield during one of the last practices ahead of the 2023 scrimmage. The cast caused her to miss most of last season.
A shortstop during the travel softball season, Manchester has seen her more as an infielder than an outfielder. Wettrick is open to playing time – position does not matter.
“I am not trying to expect anything when I go there,” said Wettrick. “If they put me at shortstop … great. If they put me in the outfield … great.”
Either way, Wettrick is excited for the challenge of getting away from home and continuing in the sport she loves.
“I am ready to get out,” she said. “I have my friends here but I am ready to leave Shelbyville. I didn’t want to be too far. I didn’t want to go out of state (for college). Manchester is far enough away but I can always come back for a couple of days.”
Shelbyville softball travels to Charlottesville Thursday for its season-opening scrimmage against Eastern Hancock.
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