2022 Chillicothe High School softball Lady Hornets senior Kirsten Dunn (front, second from right), starting shortstop for the program’s back-to-back Class 3 state runnerup squads the past two seasons, is headed to a playing career at the college level, having signed during the just-ended CHS season to accept a scholarship to be part of the Central Methodist University Lady Eagles next school year. On hand for her signing were – seated, from left – her grandmother Marie Hinnen, father and mother Mark and Terri Dunn, and (standing, from left) brothers Aaron and Zack, as well as CHS assistant coach Canaan Fairley and head coach Lee Rucker. Just chosen All-State as an infielder for a second-straight year, Dunn was a solid, middle-of-the-order hitter for the 2021 club before transitioning this past season to the leadoff role following the graduation of another All-Stater, Sophia Luetticke. In the altered role, Dunn boosted her selectivity at the plate – increasing her walks total from 11 to 18 – while still packing more power and punch into her swing, finishing with nine home runs – most of those in the last half of the season, a CHS-record 19 doubles, and two triples. Her 30 extra-base hits out of 54 total hits helped produce a team-best slugging rate of .860. Her 2022 home runs total was second – both this season and all-time for a season – to teammate Kinlei Boley’s 10 and her 14 career homers are fourth-most in CHS history. “She has a lot of fire and passion for the game,” Rucker comments, demonstrated by her “willingness to put in the extra work to continue to raise her game.” Of the chance to continue playing as she attends the Fayette, Mo.., college, Dunn tells the C-T, “I thankful for it. I worked really hard to get here. I’m thankful to all of the coaches (in school and summer leagues) who gave me the opportunity to play.” Of her selection of CMU, which also has signed Brookfield outfielder Diana Linscott for next season, Dunn says, “I knew I wanted to go there. I have friends going there and know it’s a good school.” The 2023 CHS graduate-to-be says she’s not sure which position(s) she’ll be asked to play at CMU – she started at second base for CHS as a sophomore, but said there has been an intimation she could get varsity playing time as a freshman.
