Finding a college that feels like home is often a deciding factor for a high school athlete when they are going through the process of making plans for the next level.

 

Such was the case for BHS senior Cheyenne Martin who recently signed her letter-of-intent to continue her softball career at Ohio Wesleyan University.

 

“They have a great accounting program and that’s what I want to get into,” Martin said. “When I talked to the coach, she was really understanding and honestly it felt like home as soon as I visited there. As soon as I walked in, I really liked the campus, really liked the people. I visited a few other places but nothing felt like Ohio Wesleyan.”

 

Martin, a standout pitcher/first baseman/second baseman in previous years for BHS has really made her mark on the travel circuit. She plays for the WV Tide Fastpitch 18U team based out of Point Pleasant.

 

“We travel all over the eastern states and I had made a tape and sent it out to (Ohio Wesleyan coach Cassie Cunningham) and that’s how she found me,” Martin said. “As soon as I contacted her, she was one of the first to contact me back. They recruited me primarily for pitching but I will play other positions as well.”

 

Martin elected to not play for BHS her senior year.

 

“Honestly, it was COVID that effected me the most with not playing high school softball this year,” she said. “For me and my future I thought it was best to not play high school but continue to practice with my girls down in Huntington and Kentucky so we would be prepared for our upcoming season.

 

“We see a lot of competition, in the southern part of West Virginia it is so much more competitive but I think travel ball in general has gotten me ready to play college softball.”

 

Martin said when she approached BHS softball coach Steve Howard about the situation, he understood and there was no hard feelings.

 

She has even been in the stands watching her former teammates, who started their season this week.

 

“I will miss playing with them but I think they are going to do just fine,” Martin said. “I just thought this was the best decision for me.”

 

On average, Martin said she travels south to practice with her Tide teammates two times a week and then when the season gets going, there is pretty much a tournament every weekend.

 

As strong an impression as she has already made with the Ohio Wesleyan coaching staff, Martin said she also realizes there is always room for improvement.

 

“I definitely need to get stronger as an athlete,” she said. “For pitching wise, I need to get faster. I have pretty good movement on my spins for different pitches but those can always be worked on to get a tighter spin. You can’t always thrown just fastballs, especially at the collegiate level.”

 

Editor's Note: Submitted photos. Top photo shows Martin flanked by her parents Dennis Martin and Shannon Martin with teammates and friends along with BHS coach Steve Howard standing. Bottom photo is of Martin delivering a pitch during a game with the WV Tide.