Hits for Hannah: Tribe softball is keeping their beloved teammate on the field with them

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WCYB) — While Thursday may have seemed like any other day with softball in Kingsport against rival Science Hill - it proved to be much more for the Dobyns-Bennett Lady Indians.

Down three heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, the Tribe rallied late to tie the game and send it to extra innings - polishing it off with a walk-off hit by Claudia Maness in the eighth.

But at the end of it all, standing right there with the ladies in uniform, as she has tried to do all season, was Hannah Frye.

“It feels special because it feels like she’s still a part of this team even though that she can’t play," said senior outfielder, Reagan Hollowell. "We just want to carry her with us."

This past November, Hannah Frye was sitting in a pretty spot as she signed the dotted line to commit her future to Gardner-Webb softball. On the horizon was her senior season of basketball and softball in hopes of shining through in one final ride as a high school athlete.

Yet, one night in January, that vision was flipped upside-down when Frye suffered a torn ACL on the basketball court- ultimately putting an end to her basketball season and softball in the spring.

“After signing, this isn’t really what I pictured my senior year to look like, but I guess we all have to make adjustments. This journey has taught me that life isn’t always what you think it’s going to be," said Frye. “Softball and basketball were really consistent things in my life. So that all changed, so I had to find a new form of consistency which is working in rehab and trying to get better and get back to my full strength.”

The loss of Frye also forced the team to carry on in a way they did not know how after years of playing together and for each other.

“It was definitely hard because we all have played with Hannah for many years and she’s one of my close friends," said senior Sophie Dean. “Just not having her out there and having her support was definitely hard because she’s always talking, always lifting everyone up and giving her all. So it was a hard hit for the team for sure.”

It was also a shot to the coaching staff, who needed to pivot and find a way to win without her on the field.

“Hannah is one of the finest young ladies we’ve had. She works hard, she plays hard, she does anything you ask her," said head coach, Andy Hubbard. "So you try to make your plans in place for the season and then the shot comes in and you have to try and figure it out.”

This major change in Frye's life forced her rethink how she wanted to approach the tough time in her journey and move forward in a positive manner without letting her emotions take over.

“I wouldn’t say it’s gotten harder, but I wouldn’t say it’s gotten easier," added Frye. "But I didn't want to drag anybody down. Obviously it’s really hard for me to sit back and watch, but there’s nothing I can do about it at this point. So I just try to cheer them on as much as I can.”

So, cheering has been her life this spring - taking every chance she can, when not in rehab, to be in the dugout and support her family. And before she could even step in the dugout, her softball family had already stirred up an idea to make her presence felt.

The simple written message of "Frye #12" on the helmets they use each day.

“One of the girls (Hailey Porter) and her mom talked about it and brought the idea up and then one of the local shops were able to get the stickers. We were all like ‘oh that’s such a great idea, so we did it,'" added Dean. "Just to kind of show her that we’re here even though she’s having a hard time. We’re still here for her whenever she needs us.”

And this isn't the first time Frye has felt the love. After going down during basketball, the program set aside a day for her to go in and score and reach the 1,000 career point mark, even on her torn ACL - in something she'll never forget.

But while Frye received a whole lot of love and support from the basketball family, she wasn't aware of just how much people would take the time to make her feel appreciated once again in the spring.

From the helmet stickers, to teammates wearing her favorite-colored ribbons in their hair - after an unexpected appendectomy - Frye has had to take some time to soak it all in.

“That was a really pleasant surprise. I didn’t know they were doing that. When that happens, I knew people cared but I didn’t think that they would go to lengths like that, so it means a lot to me," said Frye. “It just makes me feel really special that they’re thinking about me and they still consider me part of the team and everything even though I’m not contributing like I used to.”

And on Thursday, her presence may have been felt with the big win over Science Hill - giving the Lady Indians a chance to take the two-seed in the conference on Friday in a rematch with the Hilltoppers.

So as Frye sits back and watches her team go to work in hopes of a title run, she continues to take in her time in Kingsport and what it has meant to her - even though she has been unable to play the game she loves.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way. Even though everything happened, I know it was bad luck. I know it wasn’t anything I did or anybody else did, so if that happens to me, I wouldn’t want it to be any other place or any other group," said Frye with a smile. "I try to bring a good presence on and off the field. I know I’m not just number 12 on the field, I’m a person too. Really that’s the most important thing.”