Jeff Chaney
Sports Scene
Anna Kenny had high expectations for her senior year on the Shepherd softball team.
As a four-year varsity player for the Bluejays, Kenny, who pitches and plays first base, wanted to go out with a bang.
But then she got sick.
“I went to Alma Hospital, and they thought it was my appendix, so they removed it,” Kenny said. “I still had fluid in my abdomen and a 103-degree temperature. It was horrible, I had a bad fever, always radiating heat. I was using ice packs, had blood drained, and IVs, that was annoying.
“Then I went to a hospital in Grand Rapids, and they said I actually had a bacterial blood infection,” she added. “They had no idea how I got it, they said it could have been from anything.”
That was about a month ago, and the surgery and blood infection caused her to miss the majority of her senior season – 20 games up to this point.
“I had very high hopes for my senior year,” Kenny said. “I wanted to have 10 strikeouts a game when I pitched, and I didn’t want to strike out. I had high goals for myself; that’s what made this even more frustrating.”
It also made it frustrating for coach Jill Chaney, but her main concern was that Kenny got healthy.
“We are doing really well, but we miss her,” Chaney said. “We only have three seniors, and she was a key part to our leadership.
“April 27 she got sick, and everyone thought she had flu,” she added. “She pulled herself out of the game and knew something was wrong, she wasn’t feeling good. I think it was fairly dangerous because we couldn’t figure out what was going on. Her fever was high, then dropped. They just couldn’t figure out what was causing it.”
In her absence, Shepherd posted a 23-4 record and is ranked seventh in the latest Division 3 state polls.
Before she got sick, Kenny posted a 4-0 record and had not given up an earned run.
Last week Kenny returned to practice and was excited to get back on the mound. But she found out that it may take some time before she is back to her strong and normal self.
She lost 10 pounds during her illness and has other lasting affects from her treatments.
“I started pitching Monday, but my elbow started hurting,” Kenny said. “I didn’t cry, but I was very upset. I was so excited, but I still have some bruising from all the IVs and blood being drawn, that it is going to take some time.”
Chaney hopes Kenny can be strong enough to help her team in the playoffs.
Districts begin the week of May 27. The Bluejays host a Division 3 district and open play against Meridian, which earned honorable mention status in the latest state poll.
“We hope she is back for playoffs,” Chaney said. “We have a pre-district game on May 28. Sanford-Meridian will definitely be a tough game.
“I feel bad for the kid,” she added. “She is one of the better pitchers around. Kids put a lot of time in, and she was no different. This is her sport, and at least she is going to play at Aquinas, but to lose a big part of senior year is tough.”
Still, she remains as positive as she can be.
“I will be able to play at Aquinas next year, and people tell me I have that,” Kenny said. But it is frustrating not being able to help your teammates. But all things happen for a reason. I’m going to keep practicing hard, and I hope I can come back.”