It was one hard knock for Waubonsie Valley’s Samantha Hughes.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t a base hit that got delivered with the swing of a bat. It came instead on a pitch that was fouled off by an opposing hitter — and went directly off Hughes’ catcher’s helmet.
The result was a concussion that cost her half of the season last year in her varsity debut as a freshman. Now a sophomore, Hughes is slowly getting back into the swing of things.
“She mainly catches, but she played first base (Monday),” Waubonsie coach Valerie Wood said of Hughes. “We’re trying her at different positions as we’re trying to iron out the lineup.
“A batter got a piece of the ball and she got hit with the foul ball and was out the whole last half. It was tough because she’s very solid at the plate and behind the plate catching as well.”
Taking advantage of the best day of weather this spring, Hughes took on a starring role again, going 1-for-3 with three RBIs for the Warriors in a 4-3 nonconference victory at Geneva.
Waubonsie Valley’s Samantha Hughes (15) makes contact against Geneva during a nonconference game in Geneva on Monday, March 30, 2026. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News)
Hughes gave Waubonsie (4-2) the early lead with a sacrifice fly to center to score the first of two runs in the first inning. In the fifth, however, the Vikings (0-5) came through and forced a 2-2 tie.
But then in the fifth, Hughes delivered a sharp two-out single to right-center to drive in two more runs with what proved to be the game-winner for the Warriors.
“It does feel good,” Hughes said. “I haven’t had a hit in a while, so it feels to get out here and get some hits in. It’s been a little frustrating bouncing back, but I have people on this team who will calm me down when those frustrations mount so I know not to get too mad.”
One is sophomore pitcher Molly Quinn. The hard-throwing left-hander was in the circle last season when Hughes was injured and won her duel Monday with Geneva junior Madison Gates.
Waubonsie Valley’s Samantha Hughes (15) makes a catch at first base against Geneva during a nonconference game in Geneva on Monday, March 30, 2026. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News)
Quinn struck out 11, walked five and scattered four hits for her third win of the season.
Sophomore shortstop Clara Lyons landed an RBI double and sophomore first baseman Summer Ayersman added an RBI single in the third inning for the Geneva (0-5).
In her three wins, Quinn has registered 15, 13 and 11 strikeouts, respectively.
“I don’t expect that every game — not yet,” Wood said. “But she has come out with a vengeance this year. She wants to play at the next level and she’s getting real serious about it.”
Waubonsie Valley’s Samantha Hughes (15) celebrates her go-ahead two-run single against Geneva in the fifth inning of a nonconference game in Geneva on Monday, March 30, 2026. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News)
Likewise, Hughes is on a mission to play at the next level.
“She’s working through the ranks,” Wood said of Hughes, who also plays the outfield for her Wheatland Spikes travel team.
Hughes and Quinn are both 6-foot and focus solely on softball.
“I tried out as a pitcher when I first started playing but realized that’s not what I do, so I thought I should just try catching,” Hughes said. “I tried it for a few games, figured out I loved it and that’s just how it happened.”
She confirmed her holder brother Jason, who played baseball, was an influence.
“I had to follow in his footsteps somehow,” Hughes said. “I couldn’t play baseball. Softball is the next best thing.”
Waubonsie Valley’s Samantha Hughes (15) cheers on her team from first base against Geneva during a nonconference game in Geneva on Monday, March 30, 2026. (Mark Black / The Beacon-News)
The concussion, though, put her on the shelf for a time.
“I had really bad headaches like every day and was sensitive to light,” she said. “I couldn’t like think all the way, if that makes any sense. There were times I struggled to concentrate on one thing, but others I was concentrating on one thing for half the day. It was really weird.”
Was it tough getting back behind the plate?
“It was but I had all summer to figure it out,” she said. “The second I got cleared, I wanted to go back full force, but in the end I didn’t push myself too hard.”