Article and Photos by T Ray Henry
On Thursday, November 20th, Marshall High School student athlete Avery Cornwell signed a letter of intent to play softball at Olney Central College beginning in 2026-2027. Avery signed the letter with members of her family, MHS softball coaching staff, and Olney Central College head softball coach Nick Short surrounding the table. Members of the Lions softball team as well as friends of Avery were also on hand to witness her signing.
Avery will enter OCC as a four-year starter for Marshall High School’s softball team. In her first three years, she holds a career batting average of .328, a slugging percentage of .645, and an OPS of 1.024. Avery has 22 career home runs, 94 base hits, and 90 RBI’s. As a pitcher, Avery has a career record of 20-8 in 40 appearances. She has been a vital component to the team’s success, being an important part of three consecutive regional championships (the first three in MHS history).
Marshall High softball coach Ryan McGuire said, “Avery is a player every coach would love to have on their team. She plays multiple positions, so you can put her anywhere in the field and she will give you 110%. She has been such an important player for us, both in the circle, at the plate, on the base paths, and in the field. One game that stands out in my mind was last season against Robinson. Avery pitched into the 13th inning going pitch for pitch against an NCAA D-2 commit. After throwing 160 pitches, I didn’t want to put any more stress on Avery’s arm even though she gets stronger as a game goes on, so she was moved to play second base in the top of the 13th inning with a runner on first base. On the next pitch, the Robinson batter laced a line drive up the middle that seemed destined to go into the gap all the way to the fence and score a run. Avery dove all-out to her right and snagged the ball, and in one motion, flipped the ball to our shortstop to get the force at second (base). That one play, after she threw 160 pitches through 12 1/3 innings, is a prime example of what kind of player and what kind of teammate Avery is. She just refuses to lose. I am so proud that she will continue playing at the next level with a solid program at OCC.”
Avery, who played on the girls basketball team during her freshman year, also played on the volleyball team all four years. Another example of her team-first attitude, Avery moved from the position of middle hitter, which she had played for three years, to the Libero (defensive specialist) position, a role she had never played before in her entire life before this season. Avery handled the important role of Libero, leading the Lions in digs as the team finished with a record of 22-8, the second-best season in school history. This coming spring, Avery has a chance to be part of a senior class which can set two school records that can be supplicated but never eclipsed – four straight 20-win seasons and four regional championships for a graduating class.
Avery joins a Blue Knights squad that has achieved NJCAA Academic All-American status as a team every year Coach Short has been at the helm during the past 17 years. Abbi Lee, Avery’s sister, played at OCC in 2020 and 2021.
Congratulations to Avery and her family for this memorable achievement.
Avery Cornwell