Diana Wimpy brought much contentment to her Woodland High team this softball season but chances are she probably frustrated her share of opposing pitchers.

Throughout the year, Wimpy proved to be a rather tough out to record.

In a Sept. 23 game at Cass, Lady Colonels' freshman pitcher Courtney Bailey seemed to exhaust every pitch in her arsenal in an effort to get the Lady Wildcat senior out before Wimpy dumped her final offering -- which was low and just off the plate -- to right field for an RBI single.

Many at-bats ended similarly for Wimpy, the 2010 Daily Tribune News' All-County Softball Player of the Year.

"You know how everybody talks about how they want their senior year to be their best year?" asked Wimpy, a three-time all-county selection. "Every time I would be up to bat, I would think, 'Make every at-bat count.'"

The shortstop-turned-catcher exceeded beyond belief in that aspect, never cheating herself out of an at-bat during a season where she improved offensively in most statistical categories.

Wimpy hit .577 with 49 RBIs, 12 home runs, 39 runs, 56 hits, five triples and 13 doubles -- up from .358, 17 RBIs, three home runs, 19 runs, 29 hits, three triples and five doubles in her junior season.

"I just came into my own," she said. "I made every at-bat count so when I went up [to the plate], I was relaxed and I had the mindset that no one was going to strike me out."

Wimpy nearly saw that come to fruition as she struck out eight times in 97 at-bats.

Ninth-year Woodland coach Colman Roberts noticed his star player's improved plate discipline.

"I think she became little bit more patient. We talked about that daily," Roberts said. "She had a lot of intentional walks and instead of making a negative out of it, [she turned it to a plus]. I definitely got it in her head to be patient, don't chase pitches."

Wimpy credited her move behind the plate for allowing her the advantage of seeing pitches from a different vantage point -- a benefit that led to an increase in her on-base percentage, which went from .485 her junior year to .635 this season.

Roberts acknowledged Wimpy's position switch likely helped her at the plate, but noted that never factored into his decision to move her to catcher.

"We definitely [were not] thinking about that when we moved her. I think she's the type of kid that wants to be involved all the time," said the Lady Wildcats' skipper, who added that Wimpy got to touch the softball almost every play.

Woodland's masked girl bolstered her team's defense with the threat of her arm strength, which could deliver the ball from home plate to second base in 1.8 seconds, according to Roberts.

"They didn't attempt [to steal]," Roberts said. "It definitely changed [the] game from our view. ... She had five steals on her the whole year, which is unbelievable.

"She [caused] a lot of changes [for] a lot of teams. They had to bunt more instead of stealing a base."

Although Wimpy may marvel at the type of season her senior year turned out to be, she understood her potential for such a season.

"I'm definitely amazed," she said. "It amazes me, but it doesn't surprise me because it was something I knew that I could do."

She did, however, admit to being caught off-guard by an award she had heard about since her freshman days -- the Region 7-AAAA Player of the Year award, which region coaches bestowed upon her earlier this month.

"It surprised me," Wimpy said. "I've been [striving] to get that ever since I was a freshman and my coaches told me about it."

The region player of the year award may have been one of her more recent accolades, but there have been plenty this season, including selections to The Daily Tribune News' All-County Softball Team, the 7-AAAA All-Region First Team and the Georgia High School Association Class AAAA All-State First Team.

She also played in the Georgia Dugout Club's all-star game in November, when she won the home run derby that particular weekend.

Wimpy appreciates recognition she has received since the end of the season and added incentive each award brings.

"It makes me want to work harder," she said. "It's a great feeling to get all this recognition, and you never want it to stop."

She may have felt likewise in regard to Woodland's season but that did come to an end and perhaps sooner than any Lady Wildcat would have liked.

Woodland lost to Kell -- 9-8 and 13-3 -- in the first round of their GHSA state tournament matchup, with Wimpy going 5-for-6 with two doubles, a triple, a home run, two walks and three RBIs.

"It was heartbreaking, but it was a great year," she said.

Wimpy said she wants to be remembered as a player who did whatever it took to be at the top, never quit and was an all-around team leader.

As her name sits near the top of the Lady Wildcats' record books -- including all-time home run leader with 19, which also places her tied for fourth all-time in the state -- Wimpy won't soon be forgotten.

Her brilliant season may have been jump-started last spring when she won a state championship during track and field season in the discus throw, a year after falling short and finishing second as a sophomore.

Wimpy said winning the state title gave her added confidence and further molded her outlook to understand great things do happen when you give it your all.

"When I stepped on that [softball] field, I took that same mindset to the field as I did stepping into that circle and throwing that disc," she said. "You take any kind of mindset like that and you can do anything. Anything's possible."

"Even if softball isn't in my life 20 years down the road, [that mentality] will definitely carry over into the real world," Wimpy added. "It has made me a better person."