Strawberry Crest’s softball team is getting over the loss of several important seniors, and junior shortstop Kasey Locke has been tabbed to play one of the key roles in the team’s youth movement.
“Kasey had a really good preseason, and a really good game against Bloomingdale,” head coach Mindy Miltner says. “She’s a powerful, strong, big girl, and she’s doing a great job at shortstop for us.”
Your regular season just started up, and you were in the opening day starting role for the first time. How are things looking?
I feel that the team has more cohesion, when you start. It makes it nicer — the team has bonded.
The team lost a lot of seniors, so a lot of you younger girls have to come together and fill those shoes. How’s the chemistry on the team now?
I think it’s really good. Us being all new, we’re still getting to know each other. But, it’s coming along. We have some seniors this year who have really stepped up, helping the team bond.
You took over last year when Trystan Reibsome went down with an injury, meaning you got to play full-time the rest of the season. What was that experience like for you?
It was a little bit nerve-racking. I knew I had big shoes to fill, and I didn’t want to let anyone down.
Coming out of the preseason, what approach have you taken to starting this regular season?
Just really focusing on helping out each other as a team, and not thinking about ourselves.
Besides softball, what else do you like to do for fun?
I’m involved in FFA, and that’s pretty much it.
What other sports do you play?
I just play softball, and that’s it. I started when I was 8.
What’s your favorite thing about playing softball?
Just the girls, you know, they’re always there for you. It’s nice to have that family.
What’s your favorite pro team?
The USA Women’s National Team. They’re a good softball team. They really have high standards. They’re all really good.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Super speed. I would use it to run faster in softball.
If you could be either rich or famous, what would it be?
I’d probably be rich. When you’re rich, you don’t have everybody on you. You can support people, and support your family and stuff.
What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever done on a softball field?
I hit a grand slam this past summer with my travel team, in Alabama. I played with a travel team in Tallahassee. It was the ninth inning, and we had been tied for a while. We finally got everyone on base, and I hit a grand slam. We won the tournament. It was a walk-off grand slam.
What brought you to play shortstop and third base your whole career, as opposed to other positions?
I just enjoy the quickness of the game there. It’s fun.
