Henderson State softball players Bethany Allen and Michelle Sorensen have embarked on a special journey as the two are representing the United States as part of the American Baseball and Softball Abroad program.

The two departed for the Netherlands on Monday and will spend seven days in Amsterdam playing a series of games as well as visiting numerous attractions including the Royal Palace of Het Loo, the famous Anne Frank House, along with many other historic sites.

Allen and Sorensen where invited to take part of the program based on athletic ability and accomplishments. 

Players participating in the program were referred by college coaches during showcase camps, live competition or via a recruiting service.  ABSA’s goal is to find athletes that can compete and win on an international level as well as represent the USA in a respectful manner. 

Allen hit .277 last spring for the Reddies including having a .333 average against Great American Conference opponents. 

The senior to be was presented the Ben Hogan Award of Perseverance for her determination to return to the field after being diagnoses with Grade 3 brain cancer. 

The shortstop from Mineral Wells, Texas threw out the first pitch at the Division I Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City this past May.

Sorensen holds the HSU career record for wins (58) and strikeouts (593) and is a three-time All-GAC selection.

The senior to be had a 2.00 ERA for the year with 208 strikeouts in 220.2 innings in 2017. A native of Sherwood, Ark., Sorensen earned GAC Pitcher of the Week honors three times last spring. 

She was also named National Fast Pitch Coaches Association/Louisville Slugger National Pitcher of the Week after picking up two wins against Southeastern, pitching 16 innings, striking out 19 batters, giving up just three hits and not allowing an earned run. 

At one point during the season, in a span of seven days, Sorensen recorded four complete game wins posting a 0.48 ERA with three wins being extra-inning victories. In 44.0 innings, Sorensen struck out 52 batters while allowing just three earned runs on 15 hits. In the four contests, opponents hit for a .105 average. She picked up the win the third-longest game in Division II history, a 3-2 marathon against Arkansas Tech where she went the full 19.0 innings and struck out 21. Sorensen followed with a 2-1 win over the Golden Suns in a 10-inning classic the next day where she fanned 12 batters.

The two will return to the United States on July 19.

The post HSU’s Allen, Sorensen to represent USA in Amsterdam appeared first on ArkansasSports.Net.