Hankins signs to play softball at Iowa Central

 RED OAK — Red Oak softball player Bailey Hankins has one less concern on her mind as she gets ready for her senior season.

Hankins signed a letter of intent to play softball for Iowa Central Community College Friday at Red Oak High School.

“I’ve always wanted to play softball since I was little and I was just hooked on a two-year and I had the opportunity so I decided I should attempt to go for it,” Hankins said.

It was more practical for Hankins to go for the two-year school, she said. Hankins put in the effort to search for a school, adding that it was her own little adventure.

“I did a lot of looking at their stats and all that and just seeing if I can even compare or compete. In my mind I felt like I can work my way up,” Hankins said.

Hankins was joined at the signing by her mother Cheyenne Peterson, as well as Red Oak softball coach Patty Henke and Red Oak Athletic Director Jeff Spotts.

Iowa Central Community College, located in Fort Dodge, about three hours north/northeast of Red Oak on US-20, plays in the Iowa Community College Athletic Association.

The Tritons play against community colleges like Southwestern, Iowa Western, Ellsworth, Iowa Lakes, Kirkwood, DMACC and NIACC.

Iowa Central plays in Division II of the conference, along with DMACC and Southwestern.

So far this season, Iowa Central is 18-5, but they haven’t had a conference game listed. The team is coached by Josh Sandin, who  is in his fourth season at Iowa Central.

Hankins will be entering her fourth season of varsity for the Tigers.

In three previous seasons for Red Oak, Hankins has 43 hits in 244 at bats with one home run, 21 runs batted in, 27 runs scored and 31 walks.

Hankins feels the Red Oak softball program has been able to teach her everything she knows.

“I’ve had several different coaches who all coach differently, so you’ve got to adjust and be coachable,” she said.

Junior year was a rough one for Hankins and Red Oak as they went 3-29 in 2013.

The Tigers will look to turn it around this season when they play their first game May 26 at home against Underwood.