SILOAM SPRINGS -- Giving up on her senior softball season was never an option for Haley Littlejohn.

No matter how hard it's been this season -- whether dealing with injuries on the field or coping with senior teammates quitting during the middle of the year -- Littlejohn never gave it a thought.

"It was really important for me to see my senior year through," she said, "because I knew if I didn't, I would end up regretting it."

Littlejohn and classmate Sierra Ferguson are the only two seniors left on the Siloam Springs' roster, and for the last two weeks Littlejohn has been shelved by an knee injury.

Littlejohn strained her Iliotibial band in her right knee, which forced her to miss several 7A/6A-West Conference games and a few nonconference games.

Littlejohn said she was walking up the stairs at school when she felt a sharp pain extending from her knee to her hip. She went to see head trainer Brian Nitz, who told her she has strained her IT band, which is a common injury found in runners.

"I've been doing therapy with coach Nitz every single day, doing whatever I can to get back on the field and start playing," Littlejohn said.

She returned to action last week against Rogers Heritage but was only able to play the field as the strain has hindered her ability to run.

"She's shown her competitive toughness and battled through it," Wright said. "We are definitely ready to get her back at the plate."

Littlejohn was having a fine season at the plate offensively before her injury. She was hitting .347 -- mainly batting second in the lineup.

What makes her batting average even more impressive is she made the transition from a right-handed hitter to a left-handed slap hitter in the offseason.

"She's very coordinated and has quick hands," Wright said. "She has developed all phases of slap-hitting -- the bunt, the slap and the power slap, which keeps a defense honest."

Littlejohn said she has enjoyed the switch at the plate.

"I love it actually," she said. "I just started it this year and I like it 10 times better than hitting right-handed. It works for me."

When Littlejohn does return to the batting order, she'll likely be in the leadoff spot for the Lady Panthers, Wright said.

"That will allow us to get Morgan Curtis an opportunity to drive in runs," Wright said.

Littlejohn has started in center field for Siloam Springs since her sophomore year and has not made an error this season in the outfield. She played in left field as a freshman. Out of necessity, she's probably going to play in the infield at either shortstop or first base, Wright said. She's also been a relief pitcher for Siloam Springs.

"She's very good in center field and has the ability to play in the infield," Wright said. "She's got a variety of abilities and can play well in any of those positions."

Littlejohn said she wants to set a good example for her younger teammates, which are in abundance at Siloam Springs.

"In the past, I don't think we've always had the best leaders," she said. "I always told myself when I was a senior I would try my best to provide leadership. I give it my all everyday whether it's in practice or a game, not just go through the motions everyday."

Sports on 04/26/2014