Senior pitcher says goodbye to softball

As Central’s softball season concluded this fall, so did Grace Titus’s time playing the sport. The senior pitcher has been a member of the softball program since her freshman year. Although she will not be pursuing it in college, softball left an impression on Titus that will last after she graduates from Central. 

 Titus has been dedicated to softball for nearly ten years. She played with Memorial Little League, which was not only an opportunity to be involved in a sport, but also provided family bonding time.  

 “My little sisters played, and my parents coached, so softball has been a big part of my life,” Titus said.  

 She played for a select softball team for a season, but Titus realized she wanted to dedicate more time to music, and select softball did not allow her to do so. 

 Memorial softball took place in the summer, so when Titus began high school, she started playing with Central’s softball team in the fall. Balancing other extracurriculars with her sport soon presented itself to be a challenge for Titus.  

 “With the softball season being shorter than the other fall sports, we would have a game nearly everyday and two or three games on the weekends. It’s definitely difficult, but I have to make sure I have time for my homework and that usually ends up cutting out some of my sleep. I just have to stick to a pretty strict schedule,” Titus said.  

 When Titus participated in the musical sophomore year, she relied on her aforementioned “strict schedule” every day. 

 “I would go to rehearsal from 3:30 to 5:30, my dad would pick me up and drive to softball, and I would play a game from 6:30 to 8:30, and then I would get home and do my homework. This would happen a few times a week, so that was definitely stressful,” Titus said.  

 This season, Titus’ dad became the coach of Central’s varsity softball team, which Titus was a part of. Having her father around for her final season was a memorable experience. 

 “I have two little sisters who play softball, so he was going to be around all the time anyway, so it was kind of inevitable. It’s been really nice to have him and my sisters around, having that last family softball hurrah, especially after COVID and everything,” Titus said.  

 Titus originally became a pitcher when she first began softball thanks to her mother’s guidance, and has played the position ever since.  

 “Pitching is always an issue in softball, because there aren’t a lot of us. My mom basically told my sisters and I that we need more pitchers, so all three of us were,” Titus said.  

 Even though pitching comes with a lot of pressure, Titus finds the position to be the most rewarding. 

 “I’m definitely one for working under pressure, so I enjoy it. You’re in the midst of it all. I think I would have had less fun with softball if I wasn’t a pitcher,” Titus said.  

 For those who have considered playing softball or are looking for a new activity to try, Titus recommends joining the Lady Eagles’ softball program.  

 “I think it’s a fun way to spend your fall, especially since you aren’t busy with any big finals yet,” Titus said. “If you have some experience, or even if you don’t, come check it out.”