ARKADELPHIA — Henderson State’s Michelle Sorensen was recognized for a sensational career on Saturday evening when she was inducted into the Arkansas Fast Pitch Softball Hall of Fame.

Sorensen was one of just three members of this year’s induction class — the fourth overall for the fast pitch branch of the Arkansas Softball Hall of Fame.

No stranger to awards and records, Sorensen, who finished her collegiate career in April, is Henderson State and the Great American Conference’s all-time leader in wins (75), strikeouts (762), appearances (162), starts (118) and innings pitched (842.2). The native of Sherwood, Arkansas, was a four-time All-GAC selection, seven-time GAC Pitcher of the Week and earned three All-Region honors, including one as a senior in 2019. Sorensen threw a remarkable five no-hitters in her time with the Reddies and became the first player in program history to earn NFCA National Pitcher of the Week recognition in 2017.

Before her time at Henderson, Sorensen was a stand-out for Sylvan Hills High School, where she was a four-year starter and three-time MVP for the Bears. Sorensen earned All-Conference and All-State honors in all four years of her high school career, and was Sylvan Hills’ Offensive Player of the Year twice and Defensive Player of the Year three times.

Joining Sorensen in the 2019 class were Sydney Parr of the University of Arkansas, as well as Roy Burlison, who was a pioneer for the sport in the state and also served as Sorensen’s pitching coach for 13 seasons.

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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.

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The National Fast Pitch Coaches Association has named Michelle Sorensen as the Louisville Slugger/NFCA National Pitcher of the Week.

Sorensen is the first pitcher in Henderson State history to receive the award and only the second player to be honored by the NFCA. Lindsey Causey earned NFCA National Player of the Week in 2004.

A two-time GAC Pitcher of the Week honoree this season, Sorensen was selected as Fast Pitch News National Pitcher of the Week earlier this week.

Sorensen threw her fourth no-hitter of her career in a 9-inning 1-0 victory over Southeastern Oklahoma. Sorensen’s 9-inning no-hitter was the first-ever in the Great American Conference history.

In the two games against Southeastern, Sorensen pitched 16 innings, struck out 19 batters, surrendered just three hits and did not allow an earned run in picking up her 10th win of the year.

Sorensen, Henderson’s all-time leader in wins (53), eclipsed the 500 strikeout plateau in her last outing and has run her HSU career record to 503 punch outs.
In the last seven days, Sorensen has recorded four complete game wins posting a 0.48 ERA.

Three of the wins were 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.

Henderson State will begin a four-game Great American Conference series on Saturday when the Reddies travel to Ada, Okla. to take on East Central with the first pitch slated for Noon.

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