When talking about standout athletes in high school sports, Dally Engle from Stigler High School easily comes to mind. Her journey in softball began at a very young age, setting her apart from her peers right from the start. “I started playing t-ball on an all-boys team when I was three years old, and my mom asked me if I wanted to play with girls, I said ‘yes,’ and I basically just stuck with it!” This early start laid the foundation for a lifelong passion for the sport.
Influenced by her parents and older brother, Dally’s love for softball grew as she watched her brother play baseball. “My biggest influences were my parents and my older brother. I watched him play baseball and I wanted to be like him.”
The team chemistry at Stigler High School is one of the things that excite Dally the most about this season. “We are definitely a tight team. There are really no cliques, we’ve been working really hard as a team, and I’m excited for this year.” This unity is vital as they work towards their goals for the season. As a senior, Dally knows the importance of leadership. “As a senior, I do have to step up and be a leader. We have prepared by stepping up in workouts/practices pushing everyone to be their best.”
Dally’s dedication is evident in her rigorous training schedule. “We have 7 a.m. workouts as a team and practice right after. Individually, I will go hit and run two miles on my own later that day.” This commitment is aimed at achieving her ambitious goals for the season: “Make it to state and win the whole thing.”
Dally will anchor the Lady Panthers behind the plate where she is an excellent defensive players and at bat where she has hit over .430 the last two seasons with 14 home runs.
Looking ahead, Dally sees herself “playing collegiate softball at the highest level, along with pursuing a career in criminal justice.” Her plans are already in motion, as she is committed to playing Division I softball at the University of Louisiana-Monroe.
To younger players aspiring to follow in her footsteps, Dally Engle offers simple yet profound advice: “Trust the process.”
