Senior Spotlight: Softball

In recognition of our incredible spring senior athletes, GSB will be providing spotlights on the members of the Class of 2020. Our next edition focuses on the softball program, which features Kerry Colford ’20, with comments from Head Coach Mike Surella.

 

Thank you, Kerry, for all you did during for Gill during your time here!

 

Coach Surella: “Kerry has been not just a member of the team these last four years; she has also been an all-conference player each year she has been on the field. She was named Captain her junior year, as she leads by example through hard work, commitment, and willingness to do anything to help the team. This was made evident when, after being a top contributor and playing first base in her freshman and sophomore years, she was asked to make the difficult switch to centerfield to fill a team need. She did so without reservation and once again was named all-conference. For her career, Kerry recorded 52 total hits, scored 21 runs while driving in 38 to go along with two homeruns. But softball is just one side of Kerry; on top of being an excellent student, she is also an accomplished archer, winning several state and regional championships. Given the opportunity to continue her archery career at a Division I Ivy League School, Kerry once again showed her selflessness and instead chose to serve her country and accept an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. It has been an honor and privilege to coach Kerry these last three years, and I look forward to one day addressing her as Colonel Colford.”

 

Kerry Colford

 

Center Field and 1st Base

 

What I love about softball is the team aspect. My freshman year, I was the only underclassman on a team of juniors and seniors. I was nervous at first, but the team immediately made me feel welcome. Over the years, softball has given me the opportunity to get to know so many different people, and I am very grateful for that. Teamwork is an integral part of softball; whether you are on the field or in the dugout, you have to be engaged and involved in every play. Last year, we had eight new players, some of whom were new to the game. Over the course of the season, we came together as a team and were playing our best softball at season’s end. It was a testament to hard work and teamwork being important for success in softball.

 

The greatest lesson I have learned from GSB softball is the importance of leadership. As a freshman, the seniors took me under their wing, making my freshman season a fulfilling

experience. They helped foster my love for the sport and appreciation for the team. Last year as a co-captain and this off-season as captain, I did my best to continue this tradition of mentorship that is such an important part of GSB softball.

 

Some of my favorite softball memories come from our annual Florida trips. The trips give us a unique opportunity to bond as a team in addition to working on our skills, and therefore are vital to our overall success. My favorite memory, however, is from a game against Mount St. Mary my freshman year, when I hit a walk-off single in extra innings to win the division title. The inning began with me playing first and second base after an injury to our second baseman. It was very nerve-wracking, but also tremendously exciting. My favorite part about this game, though, was being mobbed by my teammates when the winning run was scored, knowing that I played an important part in this winning season. While I have a number of great memories from my sophomore and junior seasons, this one is particularly special to me because it gave me a firsthand view of the importance of teamwork.