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The Callaway softball team has a rising star in Ella Kelly. The freshman phenom has burst onto the scene this season and has helped keep the Cavaliers afloat as they have entered a daunting new region. 

Kelly, a Cavalier practically from birth, is leading the team in batting average (.483), hits (14), RBIs (7) and is tied for the team lead in runs scored (8). The freshman has shown a maturity and ability well beyond her years so far with the Cavaliers.

“I just try to hit, I don’t necessarily try to hit for power every time. I try to just hit the ball hard into the gaps where no one is and just try to move the runner,” Kelly said. “Each at-bat, it’s not necessarily like I have to hit it this far every time. It’s just doing a job in that specific situation.”

Her offensive prowess has been essential, but her defensive versatility has been equally as important if not more so. Kelly can play anywhere in the outfield or as a catcher. She is currently second on the team in fielding percentage (.973) behind only senior catcher Karlie Walker, a former region defensive player of the year, who is the only regular starter not to have committed an error so far this season. 

The freshman primarily plays as a catcher with her travel ball team TC Elite, but with senior Karlie Walker in her third season as the starter behind the plate for the Cavaliers, Kelly is getting a chance to show her all-around skills.

“It can be challenging at times, but it’s also really fun because I get to work on two different aspects of the game, which makes me better,” Kelly said. “I’m a better overall player because of it.”

Kelly’s ability to catch has worked two-fold as it also gives Walker a chance to rest some games and play third base, a luxury the team did not have in recent years. 

The Cavaliers’ varsity roster is full of sophomores and juniors and Kelly is the youngest member of the varsity team. Her youth is not a hindrance as she has acclimated well to the high school game as she was part of the JV team last season which saw her practicing and training with her current coaches and teammates.

“Sometimes it’s a little nerve-wracking, because I’m a freshman, and I want to prove that I deserve to be starting. But it’s also really fun in the moment because I can call pitches for them and just make them feel better when they’re on the ball,” Kelly said of her role when she is playing catcher.

“A lot of the girls on the team have been just really accepting when I came in, just giving me rides down to the field and making me feel accepted,” she added.

Softball is year-round for Kelly with practically no breaks from the diamond. When she is not in red and black, Kelly is playing for her travel ball team TC Elite, where she is coached by her father Edward. 

“I like it a lot,” Kelly said of being coached by her father. “He’s a little hard on me sometimes, because he’s my dad, but he does make me better.”

Kelly’s talent is immense and the best part for the Cavaliers is she is only just getting started.