Statistics tell a compelling story, but not the whole story.
There is much more to Megan Overton than numbers.
Yes, she set multiple school records for the Greenwood Community High School softball team during four standout seasons.
But more importantly, she set the tone for how the Woodmen played. And because of it, they did a lot of winning during her remarkable career.
“She just goes out and plays at a different level,” Greenwood coach Greg Norwood said. “The way she runs the bases, flipping that switch when it’s game time. Just the gritty side.
“She goes out and and always believes that she’s going to win, that she’s better than what you are.”
More often than not, Overton was the best player on the field, regardless of the opponent, regardless of her role, whether pitching, fielding or hitting.
Overton did it all for the Woodmen, who finished 15-11 despite a roster packed with sophomores and freshmen.
In recognition of her excellence, she has been selected the Daily Journal’s 2016 Johnson County Player of the Year.
“I always want to try my best and do as much as I can, and I want to have fun doing it,” said Overton, a four-year starting pitcher and shortstop. “And then seeing everybody trying their hardest makes you want to work that much harder.”
One of the most accomplished players in Greenwood history, Overton left her mark not only on the program but also in the Mid-State Conference and across the state.
A Boston College recruit, she set five school records and was selected first-team all-conference four times. Widely regarded one the state’s top players throughout her career, she — along with Center Grove’s Mandy Dallas — have been selected to play in the June 18 Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association North/South All-Star Game.
Overton and Dallas will be teammates on the South team, their final high school game before college.
“I’m really excited,” Overton said of playing at the NCAA Division I level. “I’m hoping that I can help the team as much as possible.”
She did more than her fair share for the Woodmen, and loved every minute of it.
On the mound, Overton was a 47-11 in four years with a 1.10 career ERA. At the plate, she was a career .432 hitter and drove in 126 runs.
But here are some truly startling numbers.
Overton threw 10 no-hitters in her career, including the program’s only perfect game. In 282 career at-bats, she struck out only 15 times, including 0 times this season in 78 at-bats.
There’s more.
She stole 71 bases in her career, including a school single-season record 37 in 2015, and was caught stealing only nine times in 80 attempts.
There’s still more.
She pitched a team-record 20 shutouts in her career, including a single-season record 10 in 2015.
Little wonder she is a leading candidate for the Indiana Miss Softball award.
“The biggest mark she left in the program is the game smarts,” Norwood said. “Megan has the pitching and then just flat-out athleticism and game smarts.”
Perhaps the most powerful testimony to her ability to lift the Woodmen happened during a losing effort.
One of only two seniors on the roster, Overton nearly pitched unranked Greenwood to a win against No. 3 Center Grove in the opening game of the Class 4A Franklin Central Sectional.
Overton threw 10 sterling innings in a 1-0 loss against the defending state champion Trojans.
“I think that was the best gave I’ve ever seen her throw,” Norwood said. “To go extra innings with them and be in a 1-0 loss … she goes out and just gives the most effort that I’ve ever seen out of her in four years.”
All effort, all out, all the time.
Overton knows no other way to play.
“You have to give it your all to have fun,” said Overton, who was also a starter on the girls basketball team. “If you’re not giving it your all, then you’re probably not going to have as much fun. Just being around teammates who have the same feeling for the game, playing to the best of our ability and wanting to win, it’s nice to have that around you.
“Just the killer instinct that you’re going to play this game up to your potential, and just pushing each other. It was always great to have that kind of feeling out on the field.”
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”The Overton File” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Name: Megan Overton
High school: Greenwood
Sport: Softball
Year: 2016 graduate
Positions: Pitcher/shortstop
Experience: Four-year starter
College plans: Will attend Boston College on a softball scholarship
Hobbies: Basketball, baking
Favorite TV show: “Cupcake Wars”
Favorite movie: “Cinderella Story”
Family: Parents are Earl and Laura Overton; older sister, Rachel, is a junior on the Indiana State University softball team
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”At a glance” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
School records
Pitching
Most shutouts in a career;20
Most shutouts in a season;10 (2015)
Most perfect games in a season;1 (2016)
Hitting/base running
Fewest strikeouts in a season;0 (2016)
Most stolen bases in a season;37 (37)
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”At a glance” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
2016 Daily Journal All-County Softball Team
First team
Player;School;Year;Position
[sc:pullout-text-end]
