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Bridge City's Carson Fall
LOCKED IN: Kentucky-signee is laser-focused on the mound, classroom
But…“When I came here as a freshman, pitching was not my favorite thing,” she recalls. “In fact, I didn’t like softball that much. Playing for Bridge City helped me fall in love with the sport again. On a Tuesday and Friday night, this place has a special vibe for softball. The community support, my coaches and my teammates have made this place so special for me.”
While she has unfinished business for the Cardinals as they push for that coveted State Title, Fall’s future is in Bluegrass Country.
“Everyone says when you go on an official visit that one college will feel like home,” she said. “Kentucky was it for me. I felt like I belonged there, and I knew it was where I wanted to be."
All of the hard work and sacrifices over the past decade all culminated in signing with a Division I SEC program.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“When I was little, I would complain and feel like I was missing out on so much with my friends. Looking back, I wouldn’t change it. Especially now that I have this opportunity in front of me. I’m living out my dream.”
Her mom got her into the sport, and she was drawn to the mound from an early age.
“Pitching just keeps you involved in every, single play,” she said. “There is never a dull moment because there is so much that goes into it. Yes, there is a lot of strategy that goes into pitching but all I’m thinking about every pitch is competing. I can be pretty focused during the game. I don’t talk to anyone before and game… I’m just locked in.”
She is also locked in inside the classroom.
“Academics have always been important to me,” she said. “I’ve always worked to be at the top of my class. Being focused on my grades makes me really able to relax on the softball field for some reason. It’s where I have fun. I know people around school may think I’m pretty closed off and in my own world sometimes, but I’m really a nice person."
2023-24 Bridge City SoftballBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
A star on the softball field and a stud in the classroom, what else does the senior have time for?
“I’m the Student Council Vice President,” she said. “I love to be involved in the planning process of all the fun things we have going on here at Bridge City. I’m also into CrossFit and watching Suits on Netflix when I have free time.”
The Bridge City “it girl” has placed high expectations squarely on her shoulders and she is living up to the hype.
Cinco Ranch's Kassidy O'Brien
FAT BOY'S PIZZA Player of the Month: O'Brien looks ahead following historic season
Despite her individual accomplishments which also earned her an All-State Tournament nod, O’Brien conceded that she didn’t do it alone.
“I was very blessed,” she said. “We have a great group of girls, and we all just have a great connection. Being able to lead the team, not just by setting, but through the mental aspect – having everyone on the same page – was a responsibility I cherish. But I wouldn't be where I was without my teammates and their performances. It’s been one heck of a ride.”
Photo provided by Kassidy O'Brien
She and her teammates enjoyed the full “state experience” when they were sent off to Garland, TX this past month for the tournament.
“It was really cool,” said O’Brien. “We walked through the halls and all the students were out cheering for us. We had this charter bus that passed by all the junior high schools that feed into Cinco, and their students were there waving and holding signs. That kind of support for us was something else.”
The Cougars would ultimately come home with silver medals around their necks, after their bout with Grand Oaks in the title game. However, that doesn’t dismiss the fact that O’Brien and co. set a new precedent for the program.
Since then, O’Brien recently got the chance to make her official visit with her future team at the University of Kentucky, where she got to witness the group become SEC champions.
Photo provided by Kassidy O'Brien
“The visit was amazing,” she said. “The coaches are wonderful there, and being able to witness them compete in their last game to win the championship was crazy to watch in person. Seeing all the feels in the atmosphere was really reminiscent of what we (Cinco Ranch) had. We also did some other fun things like go around campus and visit the Keeneland horse-racing track, so it was all kind of an overwhelming experience.”
The good news for Cinco Ranch is that O’Brien, along with various other key players, such as Gabriella Martinez and Maggie Finnegan, have another year to play before they graduate and move on to their respective colleges.
So, what’s next for the Cougars?
“We’re definitely going to have to rebuild a little bit next season, because we’re losing some big players, like Makenna (Loo), Ariana (Willis), Shea (Rainosek), and Emily (Killam) to graduation,” O’Brien said.
“But, I think going forward, and remembering how far that we made it is going to be a big piece in our advancement. Since we did go so far, people are still going to be coming for us because they know what we’re capable of.”
With that mentality, who’s to say that Cinco can’t do it again a year from now?