After a memorable high school career, Ashley Overbay planned to take a year off from softball before returning to the game she loved on the collegiate level.

Overbay followed through on that plan recently by signing with NAIA power Lindsey Wilson.

“I love the hometown feel of campus. Coach (David) Dews and everyone at LWC have already made me feel at home. I can’t wait to get back into everything and be a part of a great team with coaches whose values go beyond the game itself,” said Overbay, who was a four-year starter at Harlan and probably the best player in school history. “I am so thankful for the opportunity and for all those who have helped and encouraged me over the years to get her this opportunity.”

Overbay posted a 43-20 record on the mound with a 1.94 earned run average. She struck out 624 while walking on 64. She was also Harlan’s best hitter with a .498 average in earning all-region honors. She led Harlan to its first trip to the 13th Region Tournament and a 14-8 record as a senior in 2018. She was the Class A pitcher of the year as a senior as Harlan put together the best season in school history.

”Ashley’s plan from the last day of high school was to attend Southeast for a year and give herself some time to settle into college and to decide if she wanted to continue playing softball,” said David Overbay, Ashley’s father and the Harlan softball coach until he stepped down following the 2018 season. “Back in the early spring, coach Dewes reach out to her and ask her to come for a visit and also to work out for them. We went there in May for a visit and talked a long while with him. She loved the campus and his coaching philosophy but most of all how welcoming they were and the close knit feeling and family atmosphere that was there. She went back the weekend they were hosting the regional for the College World Series and she worked out for him and the pitching coach. Coach Dews said he wanted her there and made her an impressive offer. She has always lived the game and wanted to continue to play at the next level. She took the offer and will be playing there this fall. Her dream has always been to play in a World Series, whether Little League, junior league or college. LWC has played in several the last few years and made it to the quarterfinals this year.”

Lindsey Wilson, a member of the Mid-South Conference, posted a 52-5 record last season and was ranked fifth in the nation.