In the 11-12 Softball district tournament, the Plant City All-Stars swept Lake Wales in a Saturday doubleheader to win the championship. In the 9 a.m. opener, pitcher Kayla Swinson tossed the first of back-to-back no-hitters in an 18-0 win.
You girls won big over the weekend, and you threw one of the two no-hitters for your team. What was it like for you all, going out there and doing so well so early?
It felt really good for the whole team. We (Alyssa Grimes and I) both pitched really well, and the team behind us was good. We practiced really hard.
What was working for you in the first game?
Everything, I guess. We practiced pretty hard for it. They (Lake Wales) didn’t get any hits, but we practiced as if they would have gotten hits. The team was ready.
You all have sectionals coming up next. What are you looking forward to?
I think we have a pretty good shot at sectionals. We’ve been working really hard. I think, just playing together. We all love hanging out so, playing as a team, we’re pretty good at it.
What’s your favorite thing about playing on this team?
That we all work together, and we all know each other. We’re pretty much all friends. I’ve known a bunch of these girls for a really long time — some of these girls I’ve played with ever since I started playing softball in Little League. Very few of them I didn’t really know.
How long have you been playing softball?
Four years, but I played baseball at first. I only play softball now. I love softball.
No other sports now?
Basketball, but mostly softball.
What’s your favorite thing about softball?
Playing with my friends.
What do you do for fun when you’re not playing sports?
Mostly just hanging out with my friends. Going swimming, I guess.
Where do you go to school?
Turkey Creek Middle School. I’m going into eighth grade.
What’s your favorite subject?
Math. I like multiplying numbers and dividing them.
What’s your favorite sports movie of all time?
I like “A League of Their Own.”
If you could play for any softball team, what would it be?
I would like to go to UF and play there.
Who’s your favorite athlete?
Lauren Haeger. She just pitched in the College World Series and did really good.
What position would you want to play there?
Anywhere. I’d just love to go there.
What’s your favorite position to play, though?
Pitcher.
If you could give some advice to someone who’s just starting to play softball, what’s the first thing you’d tell them?
Just to have fun, and work with your teammates. Have them help you. No matter how much struggle you’re having, just keep working and you’ll get better.
If you had a billion dollars in the bank, what would you do?
Probably go to Hawaii. I love Hawaii.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
To be invisible. I’d probably be watching people and all the funny things that they’re doing.