Henson is Still in Pursuit of the Right Opportunity
All About the Right Fit for Lindsay Henson
When you only have one year of eligibility left, the decision on where to play becomes even more meaningful. For someone like Lindsay Henson, that choice speaks volumes about how seriously she’s taking her final collegiate chapter.
Henson, a versatile two-way player currently in the transfer portal out of Marshall University, has not had the full opportunity, in my opinion, to truly flourish at the Division I level. Having said that, her story is not over.
A Winding Road with a Strong Start
Before arriving at Marshall, Henson’s path was anything but traditional. After signing her National Letter of Intent with McNeese State in 2019, the COVID pandemic disrupted those plans. That detour took her to Jones College, a junior college in Ellisville, Mississippi.
Her lone year at Jones was nothing short of dominant.
She pitched to an 8-0 record that included a no-hitter and hit .373 with 10 doubles, 14 home runs, 53 RBIs, and a 1.173 OPS. She racked up accolades such as NFCA Second Team All-American, MACCC First Team All-Conference, and MACCC Softball Player of the Week after a monster performance in April 2022 (.500 BA, 4 HRs, 12 RBIs, 1.583 SLG).
Even more impressive, Henson completed 63 credit hours in one year and made the Spring Semester Faculty List with a 3.49 GPA.
Continuing the Climb
Next, Henson transferred to Drury University, a Division II program in Springfield, Missouri. Still chasing her dream of one day playing Division I softball, she continued to grind, posting a 0.96 ERA and leading the conference, along with 42 strikeouts.
Her big break came in 2024 when she joined Marshall University. Henson finally made it, but the opportunities were limited.
Henson made her debut vs Butler and pitched a scoreless inning vs Georgia State later in the year in 2024. Over her two seasons at Marshall:
2025 (Senior Year):
- GP/GS: 21/3
- Hitting: .222 average (18 AB), 1 HR, 6 RBIs
- Pitching: 1-0 record in 7.1 innings across 4 appearances
2024 (Junior Year):
- GP/GS: 9/1
- Four appearances in the circle, five at-bats
- Made her debut start vs Butler on March 1
Looking for more opportunities to stay on top of her game, Henson turned to the Scenic City Collegiate League last summer. She called it “one of the best experiences of her career.”
An Unexpected Extra Year
“I earned my Bachelor of Arts in General Studies on May 10, 2025,” Henson said. “My softball opportunities were limited, and I feel like I wasn’t able to fulfill my softball career like I had hoped.” Henson went on to say, “I really enjoyed Marshall and didn’t want to leave but I decided to choose myself my last year!” Who can blame her? You only have so much time to do this, and she left for the right reasons.
However, a rule change by the NCAA gave her another chance.
“In December 2024, the NCAA changed the rule that NJCAA years are not included in NCAA eligibility, so I earned another year of playing time. I re-entered the portal looking to play one more season and start a master’s degree. I signed up again for the Scenic City Collegiate League in 2024 and am currently playing for the Bandits.”
Making the Most of Summer
This summer, Henson has done nothing but produce. She’s played in 14 of the Bandits’ 16 games and currently leads the Scenic City League in:
- Home runs (6)
- RBIs (19)
- Hits (19)
- Walks (4)
Her slash line is equally impressive:
.422 AVG / .460 OBP / .844 SLG
In the circle, she’s thrown 38.1 innings across 8 games, notching 24 strikeouts with a 67.83% first-pitch strike rate.
“This league is a great opportunity for players to stay sharp playing against college-level talent in the summer,” Henson said. “It also allows coaches to see us while they’re in town scouting high school players. I would highly recommend this league to any college athlete wanting more playing time and a chance to continue their love for the game.”
One More Chance to Shine
Henson is a player who simply loves the game. Her work ethic is undeniable, and her career numbers speak for themselves.
Yesterday, she took part in a doubleheader, filling in for another team before suiting up for the Bandits. Across both games, she went 4-for-7 with four RBIs and one run scored.
If you are looking for someone who appreciates every opportunity and brings value both at the plate and in the circle, Lindsay Henson is that player.
Her story isn’t done just yet. She’s chasing that final chance, and she’s making it count. Even through all of the change and uncertainty, Henson is still grateful for the experiences, “My career definitely wasn’t as I planned, but I wouldn’t have traded it for the world because of the people I met & the person I became through those years.”
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