Drake Rowton couldn't help but continue to explain why he's impressed by McKenzie Shinabery. "She's obviously super talented, but she's not afraid to put in the work," said Rowton, Marion's first-year head softball coach. "She's a great player, but a better person and kid. Her grades are awesome and she sets a good example for the team." Shinabery has anchored the Marion softball program for three seasons now, and she will continue her career in the fall at Jefferson College at Hillsboro, Missouri. "I couldn't be more excited about getting to keep playing softball," said Shinabery, who earned all-state honors following her sophomore and junior seasons. "I love softball, it's what I spend most of my time doing. Free time during school, and travel ball. I'm excited to see how good I can be in college." Marion's centerfielder bust onto the scene in 2021, earning all-state honors for a Patriot softball club that finished 22-10 with a conference runner-up finish, and advanced to the state quarterfinals. Shinabery earned all-state honors again last spring, batting .379 with a .459 on-base percentage. She recorded 36 hits, including 12 doubles, a triple, and a long home run at Nettleton. She ranked second on the club with 37 RBI and 35 runs scored. "My favorite part of playing softball here has been getting to hang out and play ball with my best friends every day," said Shinabery. "Everybody doesn't get to do that, so I've been so lucky." Jefferson College recorded a 37-12 final overall record in 2022, with a sterling 17-5 mark in league action. The Vikings are off to a 5-2 start so far this spring. Shinabery has hit in the middle of Marion's lineup the past two seasons, but her defensive chops are elite at any level. "She just knows how to go get the ball off the bat," said Rowton. "She takes great angles and really takes pride in her defense. She hits her cutoff all the time, and she's got enough arm to make any throw." "My favorite part is definitely throwing runners out," said Shinabery, whose fielding percentage in two full seasons is better than .960. "It's all important, but some of my favorite plays have been making a throw from deep in the outfield and getting a runner." Shinabery's Patriots opened their season a week ago, and Marion will host this season's Class 5A state tournament at the school's brand-new ballpark at the Marion Sports Complex. The state tournament runs May 11-13.