Hailey Darrington proves an athlete doesn’t have to be a high school star to become one in college. After skipping varsity softball at Manchester High, she’s blossomed into one of the CIAA’s top performers for Virginia State University.

“My goal, as the leadoff hitter, is to get on base and set the tone,” she said. “I need to show an attitude and energy … stay upbeat. If I look nervous, it could make the others nervous.”

The left-handed center fielder bats first in Coach Jameshia Smith’s order, which is fitting.

She’s first in almost everything she does. In sparking VSU to a 22-3 regular season, Darrington was first among Trojans in average (.487), hits (38), runs (41), triples (four), stolen bases (12 for 12), and walks (19).

She struck out only eight times in her first 97 plate appearances. Darrington uses her speed and judgment to run down just about anything stroked to center.

At the plate, she is considered a “slapper,” meaning she tries to lay down a bunt for a single or “power slap,” if the infielders are in. The “power slaps” account for the triples.

The 5-foot-7 social work major is no one-season wonder or overnight sensation, either. She hit .459 as a freshman and .357 as a sophomore.

“Basically, I’ve played about every inning of every game since I’ve been here, batting leadoff,” she said.

That wasn’t the case at Manchester. After playing JV as a sophomore, one season was lost to COVID-19 restrictions and another when “I was cut from the team as a senior.”

Her physical ability was never in question. She said that her problem with the coaches resulted from her choice of travel teams and a desire to “double” as a track and field performer. During the spring of her senior year, she did score for Manchester … not on the diamond, but in the high, long, and triple jumps and hurdles. She also played basketball for Manchester and was a sideline cheerleader. While it wasn’t for school, she played softball for Xzone Storm and Richmond Diamonds.

But youth travel ball runs out, and, as a MHS graduate, the curtain was closing on her softball career, it seemed. “It was crunch time,” she recalled. “It was a couple of months before school started, and I wasn’t enrolled anywhere. JMU offered a walk-on spot, and even that wasn’t for sure. “I might have gone somewhere and not played softball … or not gone to college at all.”

She was rescued by VSU, where Smith arrived as coach the same semester as Darrington. “An umpire recommended me, and they came out to see me,” she recalled. It’s clear now; the scouts must have liked what they saw.

Despite her glowing career stats in Ettrick, the young lady who leads in so many firsts has never been All-CIAA. This season could be a first for that, too.