An eighth-grader, Haleigh Ashworth, pitched the state championship game for the Lady Aces. Her sophomore teammate, Elizabeth Church, pitched the previous five games to help put OCHS in the running for the state championship. Her performance was nothing short of inspiring. Especially in the wake of the events preceding the start of the softball season.

Elizabeth’s dad, Johnny Church, died unexpectedly in February, 2001, just a few weeks prior to the beginning of the softball season. Mr. Church was an assistant coach for the Lady Aces Softball team. Elizabeth recently spoke about transferring to Owensboro Catholic Schools, the impact of her father’s death, and the role her extended family at OCHS continues to play in supporting her.

Elizabeth attended public schools until her eighth grade year. "It was a big change for me," Church recently said, " because I had to leave a lot of my friends. But, I wouldn’t go back for anything now. I’m really happy that I changed schools. It’s just a totally different atmosphere. You’re just so much closer to your teachers and they actually care and they know more about you."

"My Mom, at first, didn’t think it (Catholic school) was much different. My Dad always saw the difference in the Catholic schools. With my Dad’s death and everything , I think going to a Catholic school, and I’m not Catholic actually, but just being around it and just the prayers and Masses they have had, it’s just amazing how much people care. There were times when I just couldn’t sit through class. When I was on the verge of tears I would just go to Coach (Bruce) Embry and cry. It wasn’t just him; it was Mrs. Flaherty and Mrs. Howard, and everybody. My Mom is so glad I go here because of my friends and people like Coach Embry."

During the past year Elizabeth, now a junior at OCHS, has garnered All-District, All-State, and All-Tournament honors. Along with ten of her softball teammates, she is a NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete. "In softball you have to be pretty smart, it’s not only physical, but mental," said Church, "You have to be dedicated and most of the time that means you are going to be dedicated in whatever you do. I practice all the time and I’m still doing my homework."

Elizabeth maintains a 3.86 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society. She spends some of her spare time working with young girls who are interested in pitching. After college she hopes to stay in Daviess County and someday send her children to Owensboro Catholic Schools.

"My Dad thought it would be better for me to go to Catholic schools. Not just because of softball, but because of faith." Elizabeth Church is a credit to her family and Owensboro Catholic High School. Johnny Church must be smiling.