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Kaitlyn Smalley was a workhorse for the Troup softball team this season. The junior put together her best season yet as a Tiger and was the team’s most potent offensive weapon this season as well as the no. 1 pitcher.

Smalley got the lion’s share of work in the circle for Troup this season, pitching just over 72 innings. This included a whopping 13 2/3 innings in the team’s doubleheader in the first round of the playoffs at Mary Persons.

“That was so tiring. I wasn’t expecting to pitch the second game, but then after that first game, they were like, ‘can you pitch the second game?’ I was like, ‘yeah I’m good’ even though my arm was hurting, but I just kept pushing through it.” Smalley said. 

Becoming the no. 1 pitcher this season was not always in the cards. Smalley knew she would take on a bigger role with the pitching staff this season, but had no idea she would have to step up after the team’s other three pitchers dealt with various injuries throughout the season. Through it all, Smalley was the steady hand in the circle. 

“It was stressful, but it was a good stress, I do like the pressure, because the pressure made me pitch better, but it still put pressure on me to be the leading pitcher, which kind of stressed me out,” Smalley said. 

Whether it was a dominant showing in the circle, or a game where she did not have her best stuff, Smalley always found a way to impact the game from the plate. She led the team in batting average last season, but elevated her game to new heights this season, leading the team in batting average at a clip of almost .450. Smalley also led the team in hits (30) and stolen bases (16) while driving in 19 runs and scoring 24. 

“I can’t even lie, my offense is in a great spot,” Smalley said. “I do hitting lessons every week and pitching really strengthens your arms and legs which also helps with hitting, so it also comes natural.”

Even when Smalley is not in the circle, she is in the starting lineup for Troup. The junior is one of the team’s starting outfielders, a position she has played practically her whole life alongside pitching.

The Troup softball season ended earlier in October, but the softball season never really ends for Smalley, whose travel ball season keeps her busy year-round.

“I feel bad for making my grandparents go to all the tournaments,” Smalley said, chuckling. “They say they like doing it though.”

Softball is life for Smalley. She does not know where she would be without it which leaves her with a big decision looming as she heads towards her final season of high school ball.

“My whole life, since like seven and eight, has just been straight softball,  softball is year round, other than the end of December and part of January, every other month after that, it’s just softball. And I have been thinking about if I want to play in college or not, but I don’t know what my life would look like without softball,” Smalley said. “Right now, I’m leaning towards playing.”

Just about the only time Smalley has spent away from the diamond was her short stint as a member of the Tigerettes, although she still played with her travel ball team. She did not play with the Troup softball team as a freshman as the Tigerettes season overlaps with it. Smalley had to make a decision heading into her sophomore year whether to march with the Tigerettes or play softball. 

Smalley debuted on the diamond for Troup as a sophomore and never looked back.

“I loved being a Tigeratte and I still have some of my best friends do it, but I have made some of my best friends playing softball here,” Smalley said. 

The Tigers will be returning their entire roster from the team that made the playoffs this season. Smalley and her fellow junior ball players are looking to make their final run in blue and gold next year one to remember.

“This season we really came together once I really got to know my teammates,” Smalley said. “It was fun inside and outside the dugout and I think we are going to have a really good season next year.”