~ PVN staff report,
based in part on meeting notes provided by the Shenandoah Town Office
SHENANDOAH — This Sunday, the Town of Shenandoah will hold a special ceremony to recognize another young local hero, Kate Gordon.
The event at Shenandoah Memorial Park will include a plaque presentation to officially recognize Monday, Sept. 20, 2021 as “Kate Gordon Day” in the Town of Shenandoah. The ceremony will kick off at 7 p.m. on Sunday. In the event of rain, the presentation will be held at Page County High School.
Kate Gordon was already a softball legend at James Madison University before belting a few clutch home runs in the 2021 College Softball World Series in Oklahoma City back in early June. Gordon hit what would prove to be the winning home run in the Series opener against No. 1 Oklahoma. Prior to that home run, Gordon had not gotten a hit in her last 14 at-bats and was 2-for-24. The Dukes’ victory marked a major upset of “one of the best teams ever” in college softball in JMU’s first appearance in the World Series.
The next day, Gordon belted another solo hone run — this time in the third inning to give JMU a 2-0 lead — to help defeat No. 5 Oklahoma State. The former Page County High School standout belted two other deep shots, including one to the warning track, in a 1-for-3 effort. JMU was now 2-0 in the World Series, the first unseeded team to do so.
When the Dukes met up with the No. 1-ranked Sooners for a second time in the Series, Oklahoma would come out on top, but Gordon got the game off on a good note for JMU. Watch it HERE: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=782356815737172
Among Gordon’s top collegiate accolades are:
• Named to the USA Softball Top 50 Watch List
• Named a 2021 Preseason First-Team All-American by D1 Softball
• VaSID All-State Player of the Year 2020
• Holds the JMU program career home run record with 53.
• Holds the highest career batting average and slugging percentage at JMU.
Gordon’s accolades at Page County High School include:
• In 2016, earned First Team All-District, District Player of the Year, First Team All-Region, 2A Region Player of the Year, First Team All-State, 2A State Player of the Year.
• Earned Most Valuable Player honor after leading the East Team to a come-from-behind victory in the 2016 Virginia High School Coaches Association All-State Game, closing the game with a home run and a double.
• In 2015, earned First Team Shenandoah All-District, District Player of the Year, All-Conference 35, All-Region B and VHSL All-State honors, while earning 2A State Player of the Year.
• In 2014, earned First Team All-Shenandoah District, All-Conference 35, All-Region B and VHSL All-State First team honors, while being named 2A State Player of the Year.
• In 2013, earned First Team All-Shenandoah District, All-Region B Group A honors and was named an All-State Honorable Mention.
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In other news from the Sept. 14th meeting, the Shenandoah Council:
• Authorized payment to Burner Well Drilling in the amount of $14,569.86 to install a new well pump at the Trenton Street well. Funds for payment will be transferred from the Utility Fund Capital Improvement checking account into the Utility Fund checking account, unless insurance pays for the damaged pump.
• Authorized up to $7,650 for Hensil Good Paving to patch and re-seal the parking lots at the Police Department/Computer Center and at Town Hall. The work may not be completed until 2022. Funds to be paid from the General Fund Capital Outlay Street Improvement budgeted line item.
• Heard a report that SCC’s Division of Utility and Railroad Safety conducted an inspection of the tunnels at Junior Avenue and Route 602 and found the tunnels to be structurally sound and only cosmetic repairs needed. These repairs will be made in the near future.
• Heard a report that Sergeant Rodney Hensley was involved in a not-at-fault accident which totaled the police vehicle. Sergeant Hensley is okay. A search is underway for a replacement vehicle, but there is a shortage of vehicles in the nation, and it may take a while to find one.
• Received a thank you letter from Shenandoah Page One for the Town’s donation of $11,700 from the Town’s allocated ARPA to Page One for a supplemental food program for needy families where gift cards will be purchased from a local restaurant.
• Approved a water application for construction of a new home on Maryland Avenue and 11th Street, identified by tax map number 102A4-1-23-38, for David Van Fossen and Lori Pettit to be built in 2021.
• Presented the September 2021 Commercial Community Enhancement Award to Shenandoah Community Library, 418 S Third Street, Shenandoah, VA 22849.
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