When the going gets tough, this Veterans softball senior keeps the energy up

There are some players that are born to be outspoken, energetic leaders.

At any given Veterans softball game, you’ll notice a lot of cheers of encouragement coming from third base. That’s senior Maddy Kinkade, who has been nothing short of an energy bunny at every stage of her softball career.

“We’ve had her for four years [raise energy levels in games], she did it as a ninth grader,” said Lady Warhawks head coach Jeff Sans. “It’s fun to watch. I joked in there when she was on the mound [on Monday against Schley County], I think [Kendra] Levi got a fly ball and [Kinkade] yelled out there. I said, ‘I think she’s the loudest person on planet Earth.’ But I love it, and I think the girls love it.”

It started at a very young age for Kinkade, and it’s become something she feels she owes the game of softball. Whether her pitcher throws a strikeout, a teammate completes a routine infield play or makes a dazzling catch, the passion is the same.

“It started when I was five, as soon as I touched that yellow ball, I just knew,” Kinkade said. “I’ve always been known to be loud. But I love the game so much and I respect it so much that it’s kind of a disservice to me to not be loud.”

She offers more than just cheerful words, too. According to junior first baseman Mia Ward, she’s the first to uplift her teammates.

“Maddy is probably one of the most loyal people I know on and off the field,” Ward said. “I’ve known her since I was about six, and I’ve played ball with her since I was like eight. On and off [the field] we get along so well, she’s just such a good person.”

“She always is caring for the people around her, and she always knows how to pick somebody up,” she continued. “She can be a little [intense], but I think that adds to her character, and if she wasn’t that wouldn’t [be] Maddy … I hope she never changes for what anybody says.”

Ward and Kinkade grew close during Ward’s freshman year. She was on the varsity team but didn’t play much, and when she made a mistake Kinkade was the first person to come and pick her up and show her what she could do better.

Those kind of actions are what’s helped foster a strong bond between the Lady Warhawks. During breaks in the game or in the dugout you can see players joking and smiling with each other, though that doesn’t diminish how seriously they take the game.

“We do cut up a lot. I feel like we all share the same common ground of we love softball,” Kinkade said. “I know everybody in the infield very, very well. I’ve played with the first baseman Mia my whole life. I’ve played with the shortstop Kalleigh [Stokes] my whole life. Second baseman, Maddie Dubbert, I’ve watched my own dad coach her … And Bella [Fendley], of course, the catcher, a freaking amazing catcher. I’ve known her and played against her and with her my whole life.”

“All of us building friendships during practice and being able to joke around but still be serious during Fungos or during hitting in [batting practice] is a very important factor of us being all close,” she said.

Now that Kinkade is a senior, her leadership has gone from a bonus to an expectation. Sans has been encouraged by how his current crop of seniors has embraced their roles.

“I meet with my seniors during the summer … We have leadership talks, and how to lead the girls that are on the team,” Sans said. “They really have just bought in to what we’ve talked about. Not necessarily me, but ideas that they’ve had, and I think the girls have bought into [the seniors].”

“I think good teams have a coach that leads, and great teams have players that can really get it done. We’ve got some of those that can do it.”