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Kayley Bruener was joined by a slew of family, friends, and supporters of the PC Ladycats Fast-pitch Softball Program as she officially signed with Lindsey Wilson Tuesday, January 10. Bruener signed surrounded by her mother Maria, with Brylee on her lap, dad Adam, and sister Taylor. Photo by Sam McClanahan.
By Sam McClanahan
A dream that has been over 10 years in the making came to fruition for Pendleton County senior Kayley Bruener.
On Jan. 10, while surrounded by family, friends, teammates and many more supporters inside the auditorium at Pendleton County High School; she officially signed her letter-of-intent to further her education and continue her Fastpitch Softball career later this fall at Lindsey Wilson College located in Columbia, KY.
“For me, this has been a dream of mine ever since I was in third grade and started playing for the local travel team in Pendleton County, the Dirt Divas. Since then I have been pushed both mentally and physically to be the best I could be by my teammates and parents over the years. I really don’t have the words to say how much this means to me and how the younger version of myself would be so proud,” Bruener said.
Bruener will begin her final varsity season for the Ladycats in March and look to end her phenomenal career on a high note. She already holds every major pitching record in team history and leave as arguably the most dominant player the program has ever fielded. She’s pitched over 550 innings to date and has amassed 740 strikeouts to go with a stellar ERA of just 2.42. She has thrown multiple perfect games and no-hitters over the course of her career and been named to numerous All-State, Region and District teams. Bruener has also worked her to develop herself as a lethal threat inside the batters box as she holds a career batting average of .429 with 149 hits as the Ladycats primary clean-up hitter over the past few seasons. And one important note to keep in mind is that Bruener’s final career totals will be without numbers she would have produced as a freshman. The entire 2020 season was canceled due to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Bruener has played a vital role in the rise of the Ladycats program dating back to her seventh grade season in 2018. She burst onto the scene as a young but fierce competitor with an unlimited upside. She quickly became part of the core that would lead the program to its first district championship in over 20 years along with regional titles and a pair of appearances at the state tournament in 2019 and 2021. Bruener and her teammates have battled in and won some of the most intense and unforgettable games in Ladycats history over the past number of years.
When asked why she chose to take her talents to Lindsey Wilson College, Bruener says she enjoys the close, tight-knit setting that will remind her a lot of home.
“I chose Lindsey Wilson because of how much of a hometown feel it has. Coming from Pendleton County, my class size is less than 200 students and I will continue to have that same feel when I get to college. Along with that they have amazing facilities and I can’t wait to see what these next four years have in store for me.”