It’s not every day you get the chance to witness a softball player accrue 300 career hits — but the Holtville community got the chance to witness history with senior Bailea Boone further etching her name as a legend.
Already regarded as one of the better players in the area, Boone has been out to an impressive start to her senior year. She sits atop the team in batting average with .750 to pair with her 42 total hits which include three doubles, a triple and a home run. However, little did she know she was approaching such a significant milestone.
“It's very exciting,” Boone said. “I personally didn't know I was that close. A lot of my family and coaches, they knew where I was at, but I had no idea. But just for my team to be so excited for me and cheer me on. It's just great. It was so exciting.”
Boone could not have done it more impressively either. Against Maplesville, she went a perfect five-for-five in her at-bats while scoring five runs and logging one RBI, but more importantly leading the Bulldogs to a win. Her prowess at the plate should not come as a surprise when hearing her approach for every at-bat.
“Every time I get into the plate, I first look at where my defense is to see what they've set me up for,” Boone said. “Then I also look where my runners are at, so I know what situation I'm in. If I need to get my base hit or if I need to just get in there and swing to get my runners over. So every bat I just go into look at the situation. I go in there confident, thinking I can do this no matter what.”
Although the milestone is something Boone will cherish, it’s not her main focus. She mentioned she doesn’t monitor her stats because her goal is to be a shoulder her team can lean on as she continues to embrace her role as a leader for the Holtville softball team.
“The stats are great and I know a lot of people get bogged down in the stats, but just me personally, I don't look at stats throughout the whole season,” Boone said. “So like I said, I had no idea where I was at. So I would like anybody to know that stats are not what's the most important – it's how you have fun in the game and enjoy the game. Because, overall, you're not gonna remember your stats as you get older, you’re going to remember how much fun you had.”
Boone’s playing career won’t end following her time at Holtville and has already committed to play at the next level for Faulkner University. For the time being, she wants to make sure she’s enjoying her senior year to the best of her ability while also continuing to be a standout player in hopes of picking up more wins.
“I want to have the best season I can possibly have,” Boone said. “I mean, I'm already off to a great start, I feel like. But just to go in and just have fun, this is the last time I'll be able to take the field with my family at Holtville. So I just want to make it the best, the most fun possible, and have the best outcomes and results for everybody, not just myself, but just to be there for everybody and just have fun the last season.”
