For McLoud High School junior Kayse Higdon, softball is about far more than making plays at shortstop. It is a chance to compete alongside teammates who share her passion for the game and create a close-knit atmosphere.
“The thing I love most about my team is that we are like a family and how much we all love the game,” Higdon said.
Higdon plays one of the most demanding positions on the fastpitch field. As the shortstop, she must react quickly, cover ground and make confident decisions with the ball in her hands. She said understanding her range is the toughest part of handling the position.
“I play shortstop and the most difficult part about it is knowing how much range you have on the field,” Higdon said.
Her arm strength and field awareness help her meet that challenge. Higdon takes pride in reading situations, anticipating where a play is developing and knowing the right base to target.
“My strength is my arm when I throw and also how I read the field and know where to go,” Higdon said.
The Wildcats also have leaders who keep the energy high, according to Higdon. She pointed to Macen Fixico and teammate Avery Soward as two players who consistently encourage others.
“Macen Fixico is the most vocal on the team she is always talking somebody up. Avery Soward is another one,” Higdon said.
Soward has made a particularly meaningful impact on Higdon, both through her work ethic and enthusiasm for softball.
“Someone who inspires me is my teammate, Avery Soward. She has so much passion for the game is always encouraging and a very hardworking athlete,” Higdon said.
Higdon said Soward’s upbeat personality makes each day on the field more enjoyable.
“Avery Soward is leaving a good impression on me because she is so high spirited it just makes me happy to be on the field with them,” Higdon said.
Last season brought an important lesson for Higdon: success does not require perfection. That change in perspective has helped her enjoy the game while focusing on how she can contribute to team victories.
“Last year I learned that you don’t have to be so hard on yourself and that you will never be perfect and this season it has helped me a lot I have found the love for the game by not worrying so much on how I but how I impact the team to win,” Higdon said.
Away from softball, Higdon participates in basketball, FFA and National Honor Society. After high school, she hopes to continue playing softball in college while pursuing a veterinary program and staying connected to her hobby of showing pigs.
