India Downs, a softball player at Mulvane, was a first team all-league outfielder last season, but with a couple of lineup changes throughout the year, Downs was found in the outfield and on second for a short period of time.
With big expectations to head to state, the Wildcats fell just short in a regional game.
“My expectations for this year were to go to stay with my girls for one last time,” Downs said. “We ended up falling short to Circle in the regional championship game. A lot of us were very sad as it was some of our last times playing with each other, and some people their last time on the softball field at all. Some games were a lot of fun as we swept Clearwater and Rose Hill. I believe I made it the best season it could have been for my teammates and I’m thankful that in the end we all finished on a really good note.”
Being a senior and having to say goodbye is never easy, and Downs saw the excitement and the sadness of her last home game all in one.
“My favorite memory from the season was definitely my senior night as I actually got to play in the outfield for a full game,” Downs said. “I made some plays and hit. I felt hope again in myself that I was a good player and am here to help out my team. I also saw how much the girls were really going to miss the seniors leaving and what impact we left on the program.”
Downs plans to continue playing softball after graduation, while also continuing her academics at the next level.
“I’m going up to Kansas City Kansas Community College to play softball in the outfield and study criminal justice,” Downs said.
