The Shadow
COVINGTON, Va. (VR) – A couple of years ago, Covington Lady Cougars pitcher and third baseman, Kayla Bartley decided she was going to put her focus on one sport: softball.
Bartley, a junior, played volleyball up until 10th grade and basketball until last year, and based on her performance on the field this season, it appears that she made the right decision.
Bartley has been on a hot streak on the mound lately. A few games ago, she pitched five innings, allowed just three hits and one run and struck out 10 against James Monroe (WV). She followed that up with a victory over Parry McCluer, when she had eight strikeouts in a seven-inning, complete-game performance. Finally, in a tight game against Roanoke Catholic, Bartley was the difference with a two-hit, nine-strikeout game in a close 4-1 win.
A bonus for her coach, Tony Taylor, is that Bartley is a good hitter and is excelling there also. Her batting average is .538 at the time of this write-up and has the team’s only home run while also leading in RBIs.
While she does not have any tricks up her sleeve and does not overthink any situation, Bartley does, however, have a plan on the mound. She also knows her teammates behind her will make the necessary plays needed.
“I know my job is to throw strikes and let the defense do their part. Strikeouts come, but I don’t put pressure on myself; I trust the defense and my team to have my back.
With the Cougars winning games, and their team starting to reach the potential they have had all along, Bartley believes they can make a run as long as everybody plays their role, stays positive and picks each other up through the process.
“I think we can make a good run in the state tournament,” Bartley said.
“In order for that to happen, everyone has a job to fulfill on the team. We also just need to have each other’s back and keep a positive attitude,” she added.
When Bartley was in second grade, her school, Falling Springs Elementary, closed and that is when her family sent her to Covington. Bartley is thankful that her family has been supportive every step of her career.
“I came here when Falling Springs Elementary School closed, which was my second-grade year. My family has supported me in everything I do here at Covington, they come to all my games and always push me to do my best. I am so thankful for everything they do for me,” Bartley said.
Next season, Bartley and her fellow underclassmen will make another move down the road to Alleghany High School for the consolidation of the two. With that move in mind, she is going to enjoy the rest of this season with her teammates because she knows next year may be challenging at the beginning.
“I have mixed emotions about next year. I think there will be a lot of changes. Competition and numbers for teams will be higher so some people may not make a team. I think in the long run, it will be good but the first couple of years may be rough,” Bartley explained.
However, Bartley will be prepared to take on that new challenge. Her coaches this season are helping prepare her for all the changes forthcoming, and for that, she is grateful.
“This season we are definitely playing more competitive teams that aren’t in our district. I think that will help me a lot for next year because we will be playing bigger schools with better teams,” Bartley said.
“Tony (Taylor) has definitely pushed me to be my best self, no matter what, and he’s always been there for me. We also have many assistant coaches that have done the same. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to have played for these coaches and they have helped me be the athlete I am today,” she continued.
Admittedly, though, Bartley will be sad when her time as a Cougar is forever just a memory.
“I’m going to miss all the interactions I have with different people throughout the day. It’s definitely going to be a sad time and a tough transition, but I will cherish memories from this school,” she concluded.
