With a smashing performance in the 5th Region Tournament, Central Hardin Shortstop Kelsey McGuffin has brought up memories of another great former infielder for the Lady Bruins named Kylie Brady. Her three-home run performance against LaRue County gave her four for the tournament and fifteen overall as she carried her Reggie Jackson style act into the KHSAA state tournament.
How long have you been a varsity player?
Kelsey McGuffin: Since seventh-grade. About four years, now. I’m a sophomore.
Do you ever remember having a year where you’ve hit the ball the way you have like this year?
KM: No. I think that just over the years, me and my dad have worked out a lot and I’ve progressed and the people that I’ve learned from know a lot about hitting and It’s just come together, this season.
The three home runs against LaRue County were pretty spectacular. Do you remember in your memory which pitch they threw you?
KM: They were just meat pitches. I jumped on good pitches and that’s when they go.
You hit the first one, right? Were you surprised that the second one took off the way it did?
KM: I wasn’t expecting it and it caught me off guard, but I just had another good swing.
How about the third one? Were you surprised that it really took off?
KM: I didn’t even feel it leave the bat.
Did you realize that you tied several players with three in a game and the last player in a 5th Region Tournament game that did that was Kristen Zutterman, who did it in 2007 for Nelson County against John Hardin?
KM: Sometimes these things are just once in a lifetime type things. You don’t expect to hit three home runs in a game. I just had a great night. Heat can come and go. It was really on for me.
Right now, does the ball look like a grapefruit?
KM: Yes.
When did you start playing?
KM: I started when I was five or six. I’ve been doing it a long time. My dad was very instrumental in my development as was Josh Bloomer.
This year’s team is going to state and it doesn’t happen very often, so do you feel like there is a sense of urgency to make it count?
KM: I know that we can do well. We have good pitching and we are really strong and coming together. I really feel like we can do well. If we just play our game we will do fine. There are a lot of really good teams up there and Greenwood is one of them. Greenwood has had a phenomenal year and we did play them well this season, but we have learned from our mistakes and made adjustments. If we do end up seeing them then we will adjust to them a bit better.
Softball season never ends for you. After the season ends you will be playing travel ball. Right?
KM: Yes. I will play for the Fury 97. They are a big organization in Tennessee. It’s something that I love to do.
Is there a player that you idolized?
KM: I really like baseball players like Dustin Pedoria. He’s been one of my favorite players. I have really looked up to Kristina Krupinski. I’ve been around her since my seventh-grade year and I’ve always looked up to her and I still do.
Did you ever think about taking up pitching?
KM: Oh I tried. It lasted about two months, but it wasn’t for me.
