One of Owensboro’s premier softball players is heading off to college, but will remain at home as Kaylyn Sowders will continue her athletic career at Brescia University.
“It feels amazing,” Sowders said. “It’s like this enormous wait has been lifted off my shoulders. Throughout my senior year coaches, teachers, and family had been pushing me to make a decision, which really stressed me out because I wanted to make the right choice. I’m glad I took my time and had the help from my uncle, Randall Turner, and my dad, Tony Sowders. They put in a lot of work to help contact coaches and make up some game plans. I’m very grateful for them.”
In Sowders final season at Owensboro High School she was top-three on the team in batting average with an average of .406, led the team in RBIs with 24 and was tied for the team leader in home runs with one.
Sowders said there were a lot of factors that went into her decision to become a Bearcat, but it was the financial capabilities and the chance to still play close to home that ultimately helped her make the choice.
“I chose to go to Brescia University for a few reasons,” Sowders said. “Coming from a low income family, pay was the main determining factor. I knew from the very beginning that I would have to take out student loans but I wanted to minimize that as much as I could, So I started saving as soon as possible. Brescia really made an impact when they made their offer. They were really understanding and supportive of my situation and collectively put together an offer that would have me pay about $2,000 a year, which I jumped on immediately. Going here will also allow my family to still come to my games since I will still be in town.”
After talking to the coaching staff at Brescia and hearing how highly the players speak of them and the program as a whole made her decision to commit much easier.
“I know the coach and completely respect and trust her,” Sowders said. “All her players speak highly of her and the program she runs, which is really heartwarming. So, being given the chance to play for someone who not only knows the game exceptionally well, but who will support and protect her players in an instant is something I couldn’t pass on.”
While she’s ready for the next step in her softball career, Sowders said she will miss the bonds that she made with her fellow Lady Devils at Owensboro High School.
“The main thing I’m going to miss about playing for the OHS Lady Devils is the players, my teammates,” Sowders said. “The bonds we created are inspiring and will stick with me forever. Playing alone is never fun, but playing with a group of girls who sweat and fight for the same sport you all love makes it much more exciting. I love each and everyone of them and wish them the best of luck for the next season.”
While playing, Sowders intends to study psychology and then hopefully continue on to achieving a physical therapy degree.
