Swinging for the Fences Paige Hutchinson

Swinging for the Fences

Paige Hutchinson

Gwen Akers

The Ashland Beacon

Softball has always been a large part of Paige Hutchinson’s life. A journey that started in T-ball quickly grew into Paige representing Russell High School softball, dominating team statistics and facing one of her toughest challenges yet.

Hutchinson entered her senior year of high school excited for what was to come—ready to take on a leadership role on her softball team and even try something new by running cross country. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Hutchinson began training for both softball and cross country when she suddenly started experiencing headaches. After several months, a CAT scan and an MRI revealed that there was a mass in her brain.

“There we found out that she did have a tumor in her brain, and the plan was they felt like it was probably benign, and it was a low-grade glioma,” explained Brandy Hutchinson, Paige’s mom. “Her [Paige’s] brain tumor was in the same area where your right leg function would be, and they said she could start with some pain in her foot, and she did. That just confirmed it for us that going ahead with surgery was the right thing to do for her.”

Hoping to recover in time to enjoy the highlights of her junior year, Paige underwent brain surgery on March 7. During the following weeks, while recovering from surgery, she never stopped attending softball practices—even when she couldn’t play—and continued working to make herself a better athlete. After five weeks, Paige began practicing in earnest again and geared up to make her softball comeback right at the six-week mark.

“My first game back was my senior night, and it was fun. It was a lot of fun, but I had just gotten super tired, really quickly, and I wasn't able to finish the game,” expressed Paige Hutchinson.

Yet that wasn’t before she hit a double—nearly a home run—for her team.

Cheered on by her father, who has been Paige’s softball coach since she was a little girl, and by Russell coach Destiny Goins, Paige had an amazing support system. Schools in the nearby area even placed Paige’s number on their helmets in solidarity.

“I have known Paige since I coached against her during my time at Raceland. When I came to Russell, Paige and her family welcomed me with open arms. We instantly clicked. I felt like I have coached her for her entire life,” expressed Coach Destiny Goins. “When we got the news this year that she wouldn’t be able to play very much, we were all heartbroken.”

Whether it was staying in the dugout or pushing herself in practices, Paige dedicated herself to making the most of her senior softball season. Prioritizing her recovery, Paige’s last game of the season was against Russell’s rival (and Coach Goins’s former school), Raceland.

“I looked at my coach, and I was like, ‘This is gonna be it.’ As I'm going up to my last at-bat, my dad [...] looks at me, knowing it's my last at-bat. He calls time and comes to talk to me and my coach Destiny. He looks at me, he asks me, ‘Are you okay? Can you do this?’ I said, ‘Yes, I'm okay. I can do this,’” explained Hutchinson.

When her coaches suggested hitting a bunt, Hutchinson continued: “No. I'm going to hit. I'm going to do it.”

Backed by the cheers of the crowd, encouragement from the dugout, and the smiles of her coaches, Paige stepped up to the plate and hit a home run on the second pitch. Making it around the bases, to the cheers and smiles, is something Paige will never forget—a moment of shining success in light of adversity, and a moment that truly defines Paige as the dedicated and talented player she is.

This fall, Paige plans to attend the University of Kentucky to study business and later pursue a career in cosmetology. Through everything, Paige has had her family, coaches, and team behind her—and as she moves into the next phase of her life, that support remains strong.

Paige is an inspiration to her peers, overcoming every obstacle in her path with the grace and determination every athlete aspires to have. Whether it’s on the field or in the classroom, Paige always swings for the fences.