Trio of Westfield athletes sign Letters of Intent

PERRY — Some of Westfield’s best made their jump to the next level official on Tuesday, with three student-athletes signing their Letters of Intent.

Cate Raines, Madison Hammock and Neal O’Brien signed, and head softball and baseball coach Ryan Wetherington had high praise for each of the three players.

“Both Cate and Maddison embody what it takes to truly be great. They put in hours of extra work through hitting, fielding, weight training, nutrition and so many other little things that go unnoticed by most everybody, but are essential to their success in what they have been able to accomplish on the softball field,” Wetherington said.

“Neal exemplifies what it takes to be a standout player. He puts in countless hours of hitting, fielding, honing his skills as a catcher, and Neal has established himself as a true game changer,” Wetherington said.

Cate Raines, Softball, Mercer University

On top of helping lead Westfield softball to their 12th state championship, and their eighth straight, Raines never let her work in the classroom slip. She has a 4.3 GPA on top of being a two-time region champion, three-time state champion, three-time All-Region and All-State selectee and a 2024 Region Player of the Year.

In her senior season she batted .542 over 109 plate appearances with only two strikeouts for 52 hits, 12 home runs, 53 RBIs and 29 runs scored.

Madison Hammock, Softball, Troy University

Hammock also gets it done in the classroom with a 4.1 GPA and is, like Raines, will leave Westfield decorated with awards. She is a three-time region champion, four-time state champion, three-time All-Region selectee, two-time All-State selectee and a 2024 Region Player of the Year.

She batted .612 over 102 plate appearances with no strikeouts for 52 hits, four home runs, 40 RBIs and 36 runs scored.

Neal O’Brien, Baseball, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC)

O’Brien has battled injury in his athletic career, but still comes away with a 3.67 GPA, a 2024 All-State and All-Region selection with his senior season still yet to come.

Last year he batted .333 for seven home runs and only three strikeouts.