Eufaula’s Unsung Heros
Senior Maddie Ballard and junior Rayleigh Peterson are what coach Ryan Green considers two of Eufaula’s unsung heroes this season as the Ironheads head to their second straight state fast pitch tournament.
“Rayleigh is our second baseman and one our most consistent hitters (.356 average with 35 hits and just six strikeouts) while Maddie is more of power hitter (.337 average with six homers and 37 RBIs). Both of them play with great effort and are kind of our unsung heroes that just do their job game after game but don’t always get a ton of praise,” said Green.
VYPE asked the girls to tell us little about themselves.
VYPE: Do you play any other sports?
MADDIE: I also play basketball, usually a guard or forward spot.
RAYLEIGH: I’m just a softball player.
VYPE: How did you get started playing softball?
RAYLEIGH: I started playing T-ball when I was four or five and my dad coached me and I just moved up and eventually got into travel ball as well.
MADDIE: I played soccer and basketball when I was little and didn’t start playing softball until middle school and I also got into travel ball.
VYPE: Maddie, you’re a senior so tell us how you go about leading this team and what are your plans after you graduate?
MADDIE: I just try to keep our energy up even if we make mistakes. Everybody has to know it’s just one mistake and we can stillcome back from it and win. You also have to think of them all as little sisters. I plan on attending Connors State next year to get my nursing degree and maybe play softball.
VYPE: Obviously making state last year had to be a big thrill. Are there other highlights in your softball careers as Ironheads?
RAYLEIGH: Getting the winning hit that put us into state last year was one I remember.
MADDIE: I hit a grand slam this year to clinch our regional championship.
Both girls are members of the National Honor Society and in the Native American Club at Eufaula High school.
