BREAKING NEWS: Alex Central hires former pitching star as softball head coach

Kylie Cockrell Hamby, who won 135 games as a pitcher for Alexander Central High and also was later an assistant coach for her alma mater after playing at Pfeiffer University, is the new head softball coach of the Cougars./ALEXANDER CENTRAL PHOTO

HobbsDailyReport.com

TAYLORSVILLE – Kylie Cockrell Hamby, a former player and assistant coach in Alexander Central High’s storied softball program, is the next Cougars head coach.

Hamby teaches physical education in the Alexander County School System, and the county’s board of education signed off on her new job at a Tuesday night meeting, a press release issued Wednesday from Alexander Central’s administrative staff said.

She played softball for the Cougars from 1995-98 as a pitcher and played college softball for her former Alexander Central head coach, Monte Sherrill, at Pfeiffer University from 1999 to 2002.

Hamby was an assistant coach at Alexander Central on Sherrill’s coaching staff from 2008-15 and she has coached the Alexander Gold travel team — which she established — for the last 11 years.

She replaces Darrell Adkins at Alexander Central, who retired after three seasons as head coach.

“First and foremost, I am thankful that the Lord has opened this door for me in my coaching career,” Hamby said in the press release. “I want to thank the administration of Alexander Central High School for giving me the opportunity to lead a program with such strong tradition…

“I am proud to return back to Alexander Central as a coach and give back to the program that has given me so many opportunities. I am looking forward to working with the coaches and players here at ACHS to continue the tradition of softball excellence that we are known for.”

Alexander Central principal Gordon Palmer said he is confident Hamby will continue the Cougars’ softball tradition.

“Coach Darrell Adkins did a great job with the program and he left it in great shape,” Palmer said in the press release. “I am confident Kylie will continue the tradition of running a premier softball program that she has been a part of and has a strong passion for.”

Hamby was a four-time all-conference player while at Alexander Central and was twice named a conference player of the year. She played on two state title teams and had a career pitching record of 135-7.

“I am excited by the hire of Kylie Cockrell Hamby and to see her continue the tradition of our softball program,” Nathan Robinson, the Cougars’ new athletic director said in the press release. “I am looking forward to working with her in our athletic department and watching her inspire and lead the young ladies on her team not only on the field but off the field as well.”

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