Softball: D-I Centenary makes good pitch to lure Phillips

Centenary softball coach Mark Montgomery sent assistant coach Dan Moreman to Abilene on May 23 to watch a pitcher that Montgomery was interested in recruiting.

That pitcher was competing in a playoff game at Wells Field at Abilene Christian University.

Moreman got to the field in time to watch Odessa High's Hillary Phillips pitch 11 innings in a victory over Weatherford in the first game of the Class 5A Region I championship series. That wasn't the game that Moreman was in town to watch, but Phillips' performance certainly got his attention.

"When he saw (Hillary) pitch 11 innings and win, he got on the phone back to Louisiana and told Coach Montgomery that they were recruiting the wrong pitcher," said Russ Phillips, Hillary's father. "Coach Moreman had to leave before Saturday's game, but he had a scout there and when they talked later, the scout told him that (Hillary) had thrown 14 innings on Saturday and was stronger than the night before."

Hillary Phillips became the first player in OHS softball history to commit to a NCAA Division I program last week when she signed a letter of intent to play at Centenary.

Surrounded by her father and mother, Debbie, along with OHS coach Stephanie Graham and a few of her teammates, Phillips was all smiles after inking the official documents. Phillips had planned to go to Texas State and attempt to walk on to the softball team.
The regional championships changed all that.

"It wasn't until near the end of the playoffs that everything happened," Phillips said. "I went to the school and really liked it. It's small and the classes are small, and the academics are very good. I'm excited to be playing for Coach Montgomery, and I can't wait."

Phillips pitched every inning in District 3-5A and postseason play. Odessa High lost to eventual champion Alvin in the Class 5A state semifinals in Austin.

She finished the season with a 31-5-1 record and a 0.453 earned run average in 247 innings. She had 337 strikeouts and 32 walks.

"I'm so proud of Hillary," Graham said. "She's worked so hard to get to this point, and she really battled in the playoffs for us. She deserves this. Centenary signed a good pitcher."