Keegan Hubbard may look small in stature when she steps on to the softball field, but not to opposing hitters.
The Calhoun Academy sophomore has had a dominant year thus far averaging 10 strikeouts while surrendering barely three hits per game.
“If I’m on, it affects everybody,” Hubbard said. “I can make a big difference. I like that.”
Keegan Hubbard
She’s made a difference thus far helping the Lady Cougars hang near the top of the region this season as they eye a deep playoff run.
“I think we can win the district if we all come together and play as well as we can,” she said. “We can even go to state.”
That will require more dominant pitching for Hubbard, which she said she’s up for.
“I’ve been pitching since I was very young and just stuck with it. When I get on the field I want a lot of action,” she said. “I want to be doing something rather than just standing there, and on the mound is where I can be in the middle of it, helping my team.”
Hubbard throws six different pitches. Her best is her screwball.
“I went to a coach for a while where I learned proper mechanics and have just worked on it for years,” she said of her pitching.
Hubbard has also worked regularly with a hitting coach and played travel ball for years.
“I’ve played softball ever since t-ball,” she said. “It’s always interested me and I’m good at it, so that helps a lot.”
Hubbard said she hopes to one day play in college, but for now is still focused on her high school career and helping the Lady Cougars reach new heights.
“I remember how it felt two years ago when we made it to the district playoffs and did really good. That was the first time we had made it that far in a while. We want to achieve that again.”