I was the only girl on a team full of boys, but I didn’t care. I just wanted to hit the ball. When the pitch came, I swung as hard as I could. My very first baseball game, and my very first home run. I remember the feeling in my chest. That was the moment I fell in love with the game. The next year, I started playing softball, and everything just clicked. The speed, the teamwork, and the intensity of the game made me feel alive. Even at a young age, I wanted to challenge myself, so I often played with older girls who pushed me to get better. It wasn’t easy, but every practice and every game made me stronger. I learned early that the game rewards hard work, discipline, and heart. Growing up, my family wasn’t financially stable, which meant playing travel ball was out of the question. I used to dream about joining those big teams and competing in tournaments across the country. Watching others get those opportunities while I couldn’t was hard, but it also made me appreciate what I did have. I had determination, passion, and a community that believed in me. Instead of letting my situation hold me back, I decided to make the most of every chance I got. That’s where my high school coaches, Zach Prideaux and Abby Davis, changed everything for me. They were more than just coaches, they were mentors, motivators, and role models. Coach Zach had this way of demanding your best without ever making you feel small. He taught me that focus and consistency were just as important as talent. I can still hear him reminding me that “you can’t control everything, but you can control your effort.” That lesson stuck with me far beyond the field. Coach Abby, on the other hand, was my constant source of encouragement. She believed in me on the days I didn’t believe in myself. When I made mistakes or struggled to balance school, softball, and life, she reminded me that failure isn’t final, it’s a chance to grow. She showed me what it means to lead with kindness and strength. Watching how she carried herself: calm, confident, and respected, made me want to be that kind of person too. Together, Coach Zach and Coach Abby gave me the tools I needed not just to become a better athlete, but to become a better person. They helped me learn discipline, mental toughness, and self-belief. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today; playing college softball for the MATC Stormers and living out a dream I’ve had since that first home run at age five. Softball has shaped every part of who I am. It’s taught me how to handle pressure, how to be a leader, and how to keep fighting even when things get tough. Every bruise, every long practice, and every setback has built me into someone who doesn’t quit. My journey hasn’t been the easiest, but it’s been worth every second. Looking forward, I want to keep growing as a player and, someday, give back to the game by coaching young girls like me; girls who have dreams but might not have the resources. I want to be the kind of role model that Coach Zach and Coach Abby were for me. Softball isn’t just something I play; it’s who I am. From that first home run to playing for the Stormers today, this game has given me purpose, strength, and a family that will always be a part of me.