BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Bradford High School senior Rylie Blankenship signed a letter of intent to play softball at Santa Fe College during an April 19 ceremony in the BHS media center.
“I’m happy, obviously,” Blankenship said. “I have been dreaming about this since I was a little girl. I’ve always wanted to do it. The relief of finding a college for me is amazing and getting to continue to play is really good.”
She received an offer from Indian River State College and was also looking at schools such as Florida State College at Jacksonville and St. Johns River State College, but she fell in love with Santa Fe.
“I like the campus,” Blankenship said. “I like how it’s close to home. I can come home whenever I want to. It’s not too far, but it’s far enough so that I can live on my own.
“I know a lot of girls going there who are on my travel-ball teams. I already know my roommates.
“I just really love the coach, and the atmosphere’s really good.”
Through 21 games, Blankenship leads Bradford with a .521 batting average and a .580 on-base percentage. She also leads the team in runs scored (23) and walks (13).
As a freshman, she led the team with a .479 average, a .532 on-base percentage and 22 runs scored. She batted .456 as a sophomore, which was second on the team. She scored a team-high 29 runs and was second in walks with 14.
Blankenship batted .462 as a junior, which was second on the team. She led the team with a .568 on-base percentage, 15 walks and 31 runs scored.
Bradford Head Coach Ashley Yowell would tell you those numbers are the result of giving 110-percent effort.
“Whether it’s at practice, after practice, in travel ball — she just puts in so much work,” Yowell said.
Several people at the signing ceremony talked of Blankenship’s work ethic, including her volleyball coach, Chelsea LeMire.
“This girl has heart and drive and passion that all athletes should and need to have, but you don’t find that everywhere now,” LeMire said, adding, “She’ll do whatever it takes to support her team and help lead them to victory.”
BHS Assistant Softball Coach Kevin Blankenship, who is Rylie’s father, said he came up with the acronym HEART four years ago, which stands for “hustle, effort, attitude, respect and teamwork.” He said, “This is one thing that she has — HEART.”
Rylie Blankenship has demonstrated HEART at multiple positions at BHS, playing in the outfield and infield. She also pitches.
Blankenship said Santa Fe recruited her to play left field, but she can see herself contributing at different positions.
“I might pitch. I don’t know,” she said, adding, “It doesn’t matter. I just want to play.”
When it comes to what she brings to a team as an outfielder, Yowell said, “When a ball is hit to her, she’s going to do whatever she has to do to stop it.”
Yowell said Blankenship’s success batting comes from being “very selective and very smart.”
“She knows what she’s looking for when she gets up there,” Yowell said. “She has a purpose for her at-bats.”
Blankenship said she’ll have to continue to improve all facets of her batting — bunting, slapping and just putting the ball in play — as she prepares to play at the next level.
“Obviously, I’m going to face way better pitching at the collegiate level,” she said.
Yowell, who played collegiately herself, knows Blankenship has adjustments and improvements to make, but she also said, “All in all, I think she’s ready.”
Blankenship said her goal is to play two years at a four-year school after two years at Santa Fe. Her high-school coach believes she’ll get that chance.
“I think once teams see that drive, and they see that want to win and determination, no doubt somebody will try to get her,” Yowell said.
Whatever happens, Blankenship will make her dream come true when she steps onto the field as a Santa Fe Saint. She admitted it’ll be weird to put on something other than a BHS uniform, but she’s ready for the opportunity.
“I think it’s going to be good,” Blankenship said. “It’s going to be a change, but it’s just somewhere I can play the game that I love.”
