Rochelle News-Leader | Softball: Scoreboard blast highlights Ansteth’s sophomore season

Former Rochelle student-athlete concludes two-year career at Kishwaukee College

Kendal Ansteth belted two home runs during her sophomore softball season at Kishwaukee College earlier this year. One of which was a towering blast that soared over the left-field fence and far enough to collide with the outfield scoreboard at the Kishwaukee College home field.

The home run highlighted a three-RBI effort for Ansteth during her team’s 7-2 win over McHenry County College on April 29. It was one of the former Rochelle Lady Hub softball standout’s fondest moments from her two-year career with Kishwaukee College, where she recently earned her associate’s degree and completed her first semester of a two-year nursing program.

“It was a really great experience and we had a great coaching staff,” Ansteth said. “We had a really fun team and we worked together well. We bonded really well and that made the season a lot of fun. I was definitely nervous going from high school softball to college softball because I had a year off due to COVID-19, but the coaches worked with me and I was able to get into a groove. We always cheered each other on and we all worked together as a team.”

Ansteth finished with a .291 batting average during her sophomore season, where she played 47 games and totaled 26 RBIs with 21 runs scored. Ansteth recorded 39 hits including six doubles and ranked third on the Kougars with a .381 slugging percentage. The Rochelle Township High School alum played catcher and third base during her time with the Kougars.

“I definitely improved over the winter going into my sophomore season,” Ansteth said. “My coaches worked with me a lot and I also put the work in over the winter. Our spring trips were always a great time and hitting the scoreboard with a home run was one of my favorite memories. Playing softball at Rochelle helped prepare me for the next level because I learned how to put in the work and I was able to meet people who helped me get to where I am today.”

Ansteth showed significant improvement from her freshman season, where she finished with a .242 batting average in 27 games while adding seven RBIs and 16 hits including one home run. The RTHS alum led the Kougars to an 11-win season and helped turn a team-leading three double plays on defense this spring.

Ansteth compiled a season-high four RBIs and went 2-for-5 during Kishwaukee College’s 10-2 win over Sauk Valley Community College on April 10. With her athletic career concluded, Ansteth said she intends to finish her nursing program at Kishwaukee College before transferring to Northern Illinois University, where she will study to earn her bachelor’s degree in nursing.