News Summary
McLaine Hudson of South Warren High School has been named the 2025 Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year in softball. With a batting average of .619 and a record-breaking 366 career hits, she has led her team and set a standard in the sport. Hudson stole 28 bases this season and ranked highly in several categories, proving to be a key player as she prepares for her senior year and college softball at the University of Kentucky.
Bowling Green, KY – South Warren High School’s McLaine Hudson has been awarded the prestigious title of the 2025 Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year for softball. This honor marks Hudson as the second player from the 4th region to receive the accolade, following Brittany York who earned the distinction in 2006.
Hudson’s performance during her junior year was nothing short of exceptional. She recorded an impressive batting average of .619, leading the Lady Spartans with 73 total hits in the season. Her speed on the bases was notable as well; she successfully stole 28 bases out of 29 attempts, demonstrating her agility and strategic play. Hudson also ranked second on her team in home runs, hitting 20 long balls and driving in 60 RBIs.
A significant highlight of Hudson’s career came when she became the all-time leader in career hits in Kentucky softball history, surpassing the previous record of 365 hits held by Kaylee Tow. Hudson achieved this milestone during the 4th Region Tournament against Clinton County when she hit her 366th hit, a spectacular triple.
As she prepares for her senior year with the Lady Spartans, Hudson has already set her sights on the future, planning to attend the University of Kentucky to play college softball. Her accolades in the current season placed her among the top performers in the state, ranking third in home runs, second in hits, and tying for second in triples with 10. Furthermore, she led her peers by scoring 77 runs and boasted a second-highest slugging percentage at 1.390.
Hudson’s achievements are even more impressive considering her continued growth within the sport. She has been a member of the Lady Spartans since the seventh grade and has led the team’s hitting for three consecutive years. The previous season, she broke the state record for hits in a season, tallying 93 hits.
Looking at the broader impact of her performance, Hudson’s teammates also reflect the exceptional talent within the South Warren softball program, with several committing to play at NCAA Division I institutions. This collective skill is evidenced by the team’s impressive overall batting average of .431 and an average of 11.47 runs per game throughout the season.
Despite the team’s remarkable performance, South Warren faced disappointment during their recent state semifinal appearances in both 2022 and 2024, losing to the eventual state champions in both instances. The Lady Spartans’ only two losses this season came against highly ranked opponents, No. 2 Assumption and Greenwood.
Hudson remains grounded despite the accolades and recognitions, underscoring that the team’s focus is on winning a state championship. With her consistent performance and dedication to softball, both her teammates and coaches anticipate a strong final season before she transitions to collegiate athletics.
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Additional Resources
- WBKO: McLaine Hudson Named 2025 Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year
- Wikipedia: Softball
- WNKY: McLaine Hudson Named 2024-25 Gatorade Kentucky Softball Player of the Year
- Google Search: Kentucky softball
- BG Daily News: Softball News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Softball
- Kentucky.com: High School Sports
- Google Scholar: High School Softball Records
- BG Daily News: Prep Roundup
- Google News: McLaine Hudson
Author: STAFF HERE BOWLING GREEN WRITER
The BOWLING GREEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBowlingGreen.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Bowling Green, Warren County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the National Corvette Homecoming, International Festival, concerts at SKyPAC, and sports events at Beech Bend Park. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and the African American Museum Bowling Green Area, plus leading businesses in automotive, apparel, and healthcare that power the local economy such as General Motors Corvette Assembly Plant, Fruit of the Loom, and Med Center Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELexingtonKY.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
