Independence High School senior Kaylen Parks set a new softball school record in a win over Pikeview this past Wednesday.
During the game, Parks, a catcher on the team, hit her record-breaking tenth home run of the season- the most in the history of Independence softball.
Lootpress spoke with Parks, who expressed her excitement for breaking the record, one that she has had her eyes on for quite some time.
“It feels great to have finally reached this accomplishment. I have been working [for] this ever since the record was set and was determined to set another one myself.”
Parks, who has been playing since she could pick up a bat, detailed how it felt when she knew she had hit “the one.”
“In that moment, as soon as I hit the ball, I just knew it was the one. Rounding third and coming towards home plate was the best part because my team was all stacked around just as excited as me.”
As happy as Parks is to have set the new record, she is relieved that now she can just focus on enjoying the remaining games of her high school career.
“I feel, now that I have reached this goal, hitting will get a bit easier and hopefully come even more naturally. The pressure has been lifted, and now I can just have even more fun than ever.”
Lootpress also spoke with Head Coach Ken Adkins, who commended his player for reaching her goal.
“It’s kinda mixed emotions. You want them all to have that experience. State champ is the first thing you always want to win, but those individual records is something you’ll always have when you’re gone.”
Adkins continued, detailing the kind of player Parks is and how the pandemic has affected the game.
“She was just a special player from the very first time she walked on the field. She started on that team as a freshman, and she had some big moments as a freshman. It’s hard to tell what she could’ve done if we didn’t miss time when the pandemic started.”
According to Adkins, Parks’ career as a softball player is far from over. She has already been signed by West Virginia Wesleyan and will play for the college next season.
