Brynnlin Kroyman (left) and Courtney Thompson celebrate after Thompson's first career home run-- a grand slam hit in game two. Photo by Francine Stanley Thompson.

One lone senior provided needed guidance on the 2020 Lady Dutch softball team this summer.

Following a season ending loss Thursday to Knoxville, an emotional Head Coach Teresa Thompson was thankful for the summer she got to share with her daughter Courtney, who is soon heading to Baylor University for class this fall. Teresa says Courtney played a pivotal role as one of the few returning varsity starters and essentially an extra coach on a team filled with underclassmen.

“It was very special, and she worked so hard and that’s what I told her [after the game], ‘thank you for the leadership,'” Teresa says.

Courtney finished the 2020 season with a .281 batting average and her first-and-only career home run after five years of starting on varsity – a grand slam hit in a comeback effort against Grinnell. The Pella softball team finished at 3-16 this summer.