Wrapping Up: Maize's Kelsey Stewart

It is safe to say Kelsey Stewart made her mark on the Maize softball program last season; it is also safe to say that with her senior year completed, the Eagles need to begin the rebuilding for next spring as soon as possible. 

“I say to take it one game at a time. We have to look at who we play next and find out what we need to do to beat that team,” said Maize head coach Jenny Meirowsky. “Losing Kelsey obviously we are losing a lot of our power hitting, so we are going to need girls to step up and take on that responsibility. We may have to produce our runs a different way, more of a short game kind of a thing. I’ve lost Kelsey, but I have girls that are excited to play next year, we might just have a different game plan.”

Power hitting was exactly what the Maize short stop produced during the 2012 season as she hit .649 with 65 RBIs and 12 homeruns, not striking out a single time.

Meirowsky says that even playing a role in Stewart’s success was an experience she would never trade.

“To be around an athlete that just loves the game that much, and just truly wants to make herself better every single day at practice,” said Meirowsky. “From a coach’s perspective that’s just really motivating and it really brings back the love of the game to her and her teammates. I just think that’s a pretty inspiring thing that Kelsey brought to the team this year.”

In only one year, Stewart made a lasting impact at Maize High School. She attended Arkansas City for the first three years of her high school career, but her transition was much easier than she imagined.

“I actually thought it was going to be extremely hard, but it wasn’t that bad. Playing basketball helped a lot,” said Stewart. “So I kind of got to get to know the girls because some softball players played basketball too. I loved all the girls. They were very welcoming; I wouldn’t have traded my high school team for anything.”

Six other Maize seniors joined Stewart in the state tournament where they finished their season against Olathe South. It was the confidence that they would make it to the tournament that helped Stewart stay motivated to work extra hours on her hitting abilities.

“Knowing we had a chance at state, with two slappers in front of me I felt like I needed to have my power hitting on game,” said Stewart. “I needed to get better at every aspect of my game and not just be satisfied, always working to get better.”

After adjusting to a new team at a new school last fall, Stewart will make another move in August as she travels to Gainsville, Florida to play for Tim Walton and the Gators.

“I’m so excited,” said Stewart. “My best friend actually lives thirty minutes from Gainesville with her family, so I’m not too worried about the homesick part. And I’m sure my parents will be there all the time when softball comes around.”

This summer Stewart will play with the Wichita Mustangs in order to work all on all facets of her game. She is unsure of what she will study once she becomes a Gator, but she definitely wants to stay involved in sports.

Meirowsky couldn’t agree with that plan more.

“I know she will only be a freshman, but I hope she leads through example just like she did here at Maize,” said Meirowsky. “I just hope that even after she graduates from Florida, she continues in softball, because I know that she has a real passion for it. Whether it be playing professionally or if its coaching, but I hope she stays with softball and shares her love of the game with other people.”

Stewart is currently in the running for the 2012 Catchy Award of best softball player during the 2012 season.