Bagby, Kentros earn all-State honors for Country Day softball

BEVERLY HILLS — A true definition of a dynamic duo, senior pitcher Lola Bagby and junior catcher Storm Kentros bolstered Detroit Country Day softball throughout the 2023 season as the pitcher-catcher chemistry of the two seemed unbreakable.

As the season concluded with another district title for Country Day, the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association recognized Bagby and Kentros for their efforts this season, as Kentros was selected as a Division 2 first team all-State player and Bagby was named as an all-State honorable mention.

Kentros is the true definition of a field general, and she’s carried that trait since bursting onto the scene for Country Day as a freshman.

“From a skill-set standpoint, I feel like she’s one of the best catchers in the state,” Country Day coach Brian Skiba said. “She’s under the radar at this point.”

Hitting .474 with 10 HRs, 18 doubles, and 39 RBI on the year, Kentros is as polished at the plate as they come with an elite-level arm behind the plate.

With her defensive ability and offensive production, it wouldn’t be a surprise to anyone to see Kentros’ name on the all-State list again after her senior season next year.

Kentros said her game took a giant leap in one particular area this season.

“I feel like it came with the leadership role I played on the field,” Kentros said. “When I tend to try to help others and focus less on myself is when I thrive and do my best, because I’m not as worried at looking at stats or trying to be perfect.”

For Bagby, the all-State list is a regular occurrence at this point. The three-time all-State honoree shined on the mound this season once more, tallying a 15-7 record with a 2.09 ERA and 229 strikeouts in 140 innings of work.

Bagby battled through injury setbacks with her arm and foot throughout the year, but she was ready come state tournament time, and she put on a show as she allowed zero earned runs through four games.

“She’s just an ultimate competitor,” Skiba said. “She’s always put us in every game we played.”

Bagby will not be continuing her softball career as she plans to pursue her education at the University of Kansas, but she said Country Day will always hold a special place in her heart.

“Ultimately, I think, I’ve come out of this program a better player and person than I entered it for sure, and I owe it to my teammates and the coaches that surrounded me,” Bagby said. “This year, we had a family-type culture, so every day we’d come into practice and we were always so close together. Kind of just building off that, they were my motivation to get better, so I think they ultimately helped me get this award.”