Junior Keira Lodes, a member of the HSE girls’ varsity softball team, cherishes many aspects of playing for her school, but what truly stands out to her is the incredible relationships among her teammates and the guidance provided by her coaches. “My favorite part about playing for HSE has to be my teammates and my coaches. Coach Pusti and Coach Fletcher help us become better players every single day. The way that they come together and coach us is unlike no other.” said Lodes.”Having the opportunity to play under an all-female coaching staff is honestly thrilling. I feel more connected to my coaches, and I genuinely feel like I can talk to them outside of the sport.” explained Lodes. These shared experiences, both on and off the field, contribute significantly to the team’s success and Lodes personal growth as a player and individual.
For Lodes, the journey of growth and progress in her softball career has also been intertwined with significant challenges, notably the mental anxiety that often accompanies competitive sports. “Every time I did not have a good game, the car ride home I could not stop tears from running down my face. Everyone tells you to hold it in and stay strong and to never let anyone see your weaknesses.” explained Lodes. “You get put on the field with all these high expectations of yourself and your expected to execute everything.” said Lodes. Despite these challenges, Lodes resilience shines through as she continues to navigate and get around her mental barriers.
While playing a sport your whole life you create many memorable moments. Lodes explains how from the ages 13-15 she was playing under the influence of a coach that ruined her mental health. Studies show that an elite softball player will only hit the ball 3/10 times when she is up to bat which is a 30% success rate. “You must have confidence in yourself in order to love the game. It is extremely hard to have confidence in yourself when your coach does not even have confidence in you.” said Lodes. “I will forever thank Scott Paris (summer team coach) for truly saving my career. He dug me out of that whole and completely changed my perspective of the game. So, the most memorable moment of my whole career was when I started to truly feel love for the game.” explained Lodes
Lodes is an athlete who has demonstrated remarkable character growth throughout her career, evolving both on and off the field. Her journey reflects a deep commitment to self-improvement and mental resilience, traits that have become central to her approach to the game. “My overall goal for this upcoming season is to stay strong mentally. I need to stay out of my head and to quit over thinking because that can truly get the best of you.” said Lodes. “A part that really helps is that my coaches know the potential I have and how determined I am to become a better player so that helps me think that as well.” explained Lodes
With her senior season on the horizon, Lodes continues to make her mark on the field. The hard work and dedication shows on the field. Lodes will continue to grow and make a name for herself.
