Beth Keylon-Randolph's Fastpitch Softball Academy - KFA Softball

Lead Instructor,
Melissa Hendon...

Melissa Hendon enters her first season as a full-time pitching and hitting instructor with KFA softball.  After eleven years of training with owner and lead instructor Beth Keylon-Randolph, Melissa will take on the task of working with youngsters from all over the southeast giving pitching and hitting lessons. 

Hendon, a Ringgold, GA, native played for Coach Randolph at Chattanooga State where she was a NJCAA Division I All-American in 2006, a TJCCAA Academic All-American in 2005 and 2006, selected co-captain in 2006 and also voted the team’s Most Valuable Pitcher in 2006.  In two years she compiled a 62-9 record and a 0.75 ERA.  During her two years at Chattanooga State she recorded back-to-back 31-win seasons while leading the Tigers to a 55-14 record in 2006 and a 49-11 record in 2005.  The 2006 Tigers finished fourth in the nation.  Hendon led the Tigers to back-to-back Region VII titles in both 2005 and 2006 to account for their 14^th consecutive Region title.  She posted 553 total strikeouts in two years under Coach Randolph while tossing four perfect games.

Melissa was not only a record setting pitcher at Chattanooga State; she was also a prolific hitter for the Tigers.  In two years, she hit .383 with 24 doubles, 21 home runs and 98 RBI’s. 

After graduating from Chattanooga State, Melissa signed with the University of South Carolina where she quickly stepped into the No. 1 pitcher’s spot and delivered 20 wins to lead the team.  In her junior season, her first in the SEC, she made 45 appearances en route to putting her name among Carolina greats with her 255 innings pitched (seventh-best single-season mark) and 277 strikeouts (sixth-best single-season).  After her junior season, she stood in the top 100 of the nation in four pitching categories: saves (3, 52^nd), wins (20, 63^rd), ERA (1.77, 66^th) and strikeouts per seven innings (7.3, 76^th).  Hendon threw back-to-back complete games on championship day at the Columbia regional to lead Carolina over No. 20 Oregon to advance to the program’s first ever Super Regional.

Hendon wrapped up her senior season with a career 1.98 ERA with 145 strikeouts in 151.2 innings pitched while pitching the eight perfect game in Gamecock history on March 4, 2007.  She had 18 complete games and five shutouts while tallying 4 saves, ranking 21^st in the NCAA.  She was awarded the SEC Pitcher of the Week multiple times while also being selected to the SEC Academic Honor Roll in 2007 and 2008.  She was also chosen to ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Squad.  Hendon concluded her college career with 982 strikeouts and a 1.36 ERA.

Melissa graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from the University of South Carolina in 2008.

 “We are very excited to have Melissa join our staff,” Beth said.  “Her enthusiasm, passion, experience and work ethic are qualities we feel she will pass on to her students.  She has the ability to communicate with students of all ages and adapts her lessons to fit her students.  While physical tools make a huge difference, Melissa has the ability to perform under pressure and is able to channel her trials, tribulations and keys to her success into her instruction.  A trademark of KFA instruction is the ability to identify a player’s strength and weakness and come up with a solution to work through the problems.  Melissa is gifted with this art and we are very fortunate to have her join our academy.”

Mailing:  P.O. Box 788,  Ooltewah, TN  37363  |  Email:  kfastaff@KFASoftball.com  |  KFA Softball Hotline:  423-443-0557