Nixon pays tribute to grandmother with home run

MINSTER - Jenna Nixon should have been understandably anxious heading into Minster's softball home opener against Arcanum on Monday evening.

The freshman first baseman for Scott Robinson's defending MAC champion Wildcats was all set for her varsity debut - a moment she replayed in her mind countless times for the past seven years.

"I would say I was more excited than nervous on Monday," she admitted. "We had a few rainouts and I just couldn't wait to get out on the diamond and play. All of the time that we put in during the offseason, it was great to finally have a chance to start swinging the bats."

In her first varsity at-bat of her career, Nixon led off the bottom of the second inning with Minster in command, 2-0.

"I did the sign of the cross just as I do every time I step in and after a couple of pitches, it was a 1-1 count," she recalled. "I took a deep breath and told myself I could do it and reminded myself to just keep my hands back and follow through on the swing."

As the third offering sailed her way, Nixon sprung her hips toward the pitcher and powered the bat across the plate. She felt the pop as the ball collided with the sweet spot of her bat and headed skyward toward left field, cutting through a brisk wind. By the time it cleared the fence, Nixon was already hustling toward second base.

"I passed coach Richard at first base, and he smiled and told me to make sure I touched them all," Nixon chuckled. "I wasn't sure what he meant until I looked up and saw the ball bouncing through the parking lot."

While bombing the first long ball of her life was undoubtedly an exhilarating moment for the always-smiling Nixon, it was the complete opposite end of the spectrum of emotions from what she had already endured earlier in the day. A few hours before her memorable blast, Nixon had to say goodbye to one of her most reliable fans - her grandmother Doris Prenger - who passed away last Thursday and was laid to rest on Monday morning.

"I ran around the bases and tears were just rolling down my cheeks," she explained, while beginning to tear up retelling the story. "All I could think was 'Thank you Grandma' the entire way around the bases. When I finally reached home, it was the warmest welcome I could ever imagine,"

Word had reached her family almost as instantly as the ball left the park.

"Mom was at home with most of her family doing thank you cards from the funeral, and when I walked in, everyone was in tears and congratulating me," she pointed out. "My brothers teased me that it was only a 200-foot fence and that shouldn't be that hard, but I knew they were kidding."

Although Nixon will likely connect for many more long balls over the next few years, she can't help but think that her first one didn't have a little help on Monday.

"I have no doubt it was a sign from Grandma. She always loved coming to my games when I was little and there is no doubt she would have been there on Monday," she said before pausing. "Now I can't help but to think she definitely was."