And how about Megan Green? What a hitter!

The sentence above resembles a line from one of the most popular baseball movies of all time - A League of their Own - in reference to the Rockford Peaches’ power hitter Marla Hooch. Hooch is by far the best long ball hitter in the All American Girls Professional Baseball League during the course of the film.

If the 2021 softball season in the Times News area was a similarly-inspired movie, then Palmerton power hitter Megan Green would most certainly fill the starring role. Green struck fear into the hearts of opposing pitchers and defenses with her prowess at the plate. The senior put up some gaudy offensive numbers this season, which has earned her the 2021 Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Softball Athlete of the Year.

In softball, it’s all about the numbers, and nobody had better numbers than Green. But Green’s numbers weren’t just impressive in one statistical category - she dominated in every facet of the game at the plate.

First, there was her power. The senior now holds the single-season home run record for the Bombers, mashing 12 long balls in 2021, and finished her career with 16, a number that would’ve been significantly higher if she didn’t lose her entire junior campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I really learned to be patient this season,” said Green. “Earlier in my career, I was hitting too many pop-ups. But I really saw the ball well all year long. I think all the hitting I did in the offseason really helped as well. My friends and I would go over to the baseball or Babe Ruth field three to four times a week and just soft toss to each other and hit balls.”

Then there was Green’s ability to knock in runs. When runners were on base for the Bombers, Green delivered, coming through with a team-leading 44 RBIs.

“I think the key is to always have a game plan. You need to envision where you want to put the ball in order to bring the runs in,” said Green. “I know we can get two runs here if I hit it to right field, or I can definitely score this person from third if I hit it here. Then, of course, if you get your pitch and you’re able to drive it over the fence, that always works as well. But having a game plan is always important in every single at bat.”

And then there is her average, as Green showed she wasn’t just a power hitter this season with the ability to not only rake, but also spray the ball in play all over the field. Green hit just a tick under .500 (. 496), and led the team with a .539 on-base percentage.

But perhaps her most extraordinary stat was that Green only struck out one time in 26 games, with that strikeout coming in Palmerton’s final game of the season in the opening round of the state tournament against Central Columbia.

“Megan isn’t just a power hitter. She is also a great contact hitter. Nothing proves that more than the fact that she only struck once throughout the entire season,” said Palmerton head coach Robert Hock. “She sees the ball as good or better than anyone I’ve been around in the game. She just plays the game with strength, and she brings much more to the table than just being a good player. She is a great teammate, and wasn’t afraid to speak up and take charge, but she also knew when to have fun and when to make things light in the dugout. She’s just a great kid and we will certainly miss her.”

Green’s personal achievements speak for themselves, but it was Palmerton’s overall team success this season that the future Northampton Community College Spartan is most proud of. The Bombers qualified for the Colonial League playoffs, won a District 11 3A championship and qualified for the PIAA state tournament, finishing with an overall record of 21-5.

“This season was a crazy ride to say the least, but it all came together for us. I think it just shows that if you put the time in and work hard, that you can go on a run like we did,” said Green. “That’s the message I want to pass on to our underclassmen, who by the way all played really well for us. They got a taste of what that was like this season, and if they continue to work hard, they can keep building what we started. This a game where if you play with passion and dedication, you can do really well. My pap and my dad instilled that in me; always throwing with me and hitting with me in the yard. The love for the game is really important, and a big reason for my success. I want to thank my teammates, coaches and family for everything. This a season none of us will forget.”