Lindsey Kay Paul has had a pretty good senior year so far. The 17-year-old pitcher for Huntington’s fast-pitch softball team was undefeated at 8-0 heading into last Saturday’s tournament at Hillcrest. Her two losses there came at the hands of state-ranked 4A schools; certainly not too black a mark on the career of the 1A pitcher.

The Lady Hounds head into today’s final regular season game against Claiborne Academy at the top of their district, thanks in no small part to Paul’s work on the mound.

A rodeo enthusiast, Paul is also in competition to win a saddle in barrel racing with her horse, Sweet Cody Lass, better known simply as Cody.

And Tuesday, Paul was named Huntington’s homecoming queen.

So far, so good.

&uot;I’m just me,&uot; she said, uncomfortable with the attention of a newspaper article. &uot;Just Lindsey.&uot;

&uot;Just Lindsey&uot; plans on attending LSU after high school and studying dentistry.

&uot;I’ve always been interested by it,&uot; she said. &uot;When I went to the dentist, I wanted to know everything he was doing.&uot;

Lindsey doesn’t plan on continuing her softball career in college. &uot;I don’t think my pitching is fast enough,&uot; she said.

This season, then, will end her six-year association with the sport, as she doesn’t play slow-pitch ball.

&uot;That season interferes with rodeo season,&uot; she said. &uot;Actually, everything interferes with rodeo season, but that starts just when rodeo is getting started.&uot;

Not that Paul won’t miss softball.

&uot;I love it,&uot; she said. &uot;All the hollering and cheering in the dugout, the competition, the teamwork.

&uot;I guess I like the pitching the most, but I don’t mind getting down and dirty,&uot; she added.

Not too surprising a statement from a cowgirl, perhaps, but a homecoming queen?

Even a homecoming queen is bound by the rigors of her sport, apparently.

&uot;The whole softball team has to leave early,&uot; she said of the dance. &uot;We start South State (tournament) Saturday.&uot;