Wednesday afternoon at Oxford, Greene junior second baseman Caitlin Willis went 2-for-5 with two doubles and three RBI. By the standard she set in recent games, Willis’ batting average actually went down, and the performance was actually a step back from the way she performed earlier in the week.

The Greene junior second baseman is playing that well.

Against Delhi and Hancock in a Tuesday doubleheader, Willis was a combined 6-for-6 with three doubles and two triples and five RBI. For the season, she is hitting an amazing .593, and is playing her third starting position in as many varsity seasons for Trojans head coach Rick Smith. It’s no doubt a breakout season for Willis, yet this season almost didn’t happen.

A starter on the Greene varsity soccer team – one that went on to win the MAC championship – Willis suffered a complete tear of her anterior cruciate ligament midway through the season. Just a few short years ago, a complete ACL tear typically took a player out of action for close to a year.

“Caitlin has been such a nice surprise, especially when you stop and think that we didn’t think we would have her this year,” Smith said. “She’s hitting the heck out of the ball, and they aren’t cheapies.”