“Play your hardest but have fun doing it” might be a slogan for Eufaula senior softball player Rayleigh Peterson. A four-year starter for the Ironheads, Rayleigh will have her last go-round in fast pitch softball this fall as she plans to pursue just academics when she goes to Lamar University next year. Her coach Ryan Green, who has coached her for the past 10 years, sings her praises. “Rayleigh is the epitome of Ironhead softball and is always willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win,” said Green. “She has produced big plays and timely hits throughout her career and we’re expecting more of the same from her in her senior year. She’s played second base all of her career but this year we may have to move her to a different position, but I know she’s got the skills to adapt and do well if that happens.” Rayleigh started playing softball when she was five and moved into travel ball shortly after that until she got into junior high. She credits a couple of people who have been big influences in her life. “My dad has always pushed me hard and has been a good role model for me and always supported me and coach Green has coached for so many years, and he’s been a good role model too,” said Rayleigh. Off the field she is involved in student council, National Honor Society, and Link Crew which helps eighth graders get ready for high school. She’s been to the state fast pitch tournament the past two years, but the journey to get there last year brings a highlight she’ll cherish. “It was in the super-regionals, and we were playing Valliant. We lost the first game and were tied in the bottom of the seventh with two outs in the second game and I came up and got the game-winning hit and then we won the third game to advance to state,” As a senior leader this year, Rayleigh remembers what it was like for her as an underclassman. “When I was a freshman, I didn’t think I’d get to play but I worked hard, never gave up and finally became a starter and that’s the example I’ll use for our young players if they get down on themselves to keep their spirits up.” Continuing to improve and going back to state one more time are goals she has set for this year after hitting .343 with 27 RBIs last year and when she leaves Eufaula next spring, Rayleigh says “I’d like to be remembered as someone that set a good example and that always tried to make the game fun.”
