Hall has success with smile for Kennewick softball

KENNEWICK Amanda Hall has certainly put in her share of work at Kennewick High School.

The Lions senior has pushed herself through 10 varsity seasons in three sports over the last four years, enduring all the nicks, scrapes and wrenches that her 5-foot-8 frame can handle.

In fact, one of the most enjoyable friendships she has cultivated during that time is with Rob Kennell, her physical therapist at Three Rivers Physical Therapy in Kennewick.

"He's always been there for me. I've been in there countless times for tendinitis in my elbow or sprained ankles," Hall said. "He always seems to be having fun."

And so is Hall, for that matter. The three-sport star is known among her teammates for her positive outlook and bright smile throughout the day.

"She's got a bubbly personality. She keeps our team going when we're in a rut," said second baseman Kylie Rail, who is part of a core group of five Lions' seniors -- Hall, Rail, Gabrielle McCallister, Sara Bakos and Taylor Bakos -- that has played together since joining the 14U Tri-City Breeze in 2004.

Softball is Hall's best sport, having earned All-CBL honors as a first baseman for the last two years and well on her way to another first-team selection this season. Next spring, she'll continue her softball areer at Columbia Basin College, where she will study physical therapy.

Hall has also earned four varsity letters and second-team All-CBBN honors as a forward in basketball as well as two more varsity letters as a goalkeeper in soccer.

But before she closes the book on her high school career, there remains one thing she wants to accomplish.

"I'd love to make it to state," said Hall, who has played in several regional basketball (0-3) and softball (0-4) contests but has yet to experience a win there. She was on hand, however, to watch the Kennewick boys -- including her boyfriend Michael Gordon -- win the 3A state baseball title last spring at Safeco Field in Seattle.

"I'm still jealous," she laughed. "I sometimes wear (his championship ring) around for fun because I wish I could have one."

With the district playoffs just three weeks away, Hall and her teammates are doing what they can to put Kennewick in good position for a strong postseason run.

Hall leads the team with a .366 batting average and is tied for the CBBN lead with two home runs. Last season, she batted .471 and led the CBL 3A in RBIs with 25.

"She's no secret. She was given a pretty good compliment from Richland by walking her," said Lions coach David Giancola. "She makes great adjustments, and that's what you have to do as a hitter."

Sometimes, she even surprises herself.

"I never go up there looking to jack one out. The (home run) I hit against Pasco was completely a mistake," she said. "When I hit the ball, I didn't think it would go over, but when it did I just went, 'Wow!'

"I got to home plate and all my teammates were hitting my head really hard. Then I got into the dugout and my dad (Jerry) was there. So I gave him a big hug."

Her offensive abilities notwithstanding, her defense also sets her apart from other first basemen in the CBBN.

During a doubleheader against West Valley on Wednesday, Hall laid out to make a diving stop on a line drive in foul territory to help preserve a 3-2 Game 1 win. She's also proven effective at digging low throws out of the dirt, making life a little easier for her teammates.

"She's a solid fielder at first (base)," said third baseman Sara Bakos. "I'm more confident when she's out there."

And Hall finally has a reason to be confident about the chances of playing in her first state tournament game.

"I think we have a really good chance," she said. "If everybody stays healthy and keeps hitting the ball the way we have been, there's no way we can be stopped."