It is not uncommon for Keene State College to produce successful athletes. Just last year, Janel Haggerty won the women’s pentathlon at the NCAA championship, making a name for herself as a national champion.
Further, it is not uncommon for KSC to produce successful freshmen athletes.
One thing that may be uncommon for any college, however, is producing two stellar freshmen at the same time, for the same sport.
Nonetheless, the KSC Women’s Softball team is looking to change this.
According to the KSC athletics website, Owl freshmen Aliza Guerrero and Kayla Votto are currently first and second, respectively in team statistics for batting average, stolen bases and home runs.
In addition, statistics from the Little East Conference website showed they are currently sixth and ninth respectively in the batting average statistics for the entire LEC Conference.
Only one other freshman in the conference is in the top ten on this list.
“It’s kind of cool that we’re both freshmen and that we play on the field at the same time, and on the same side of the field too. She’s behind me, she plays left [outfield] and I play short [shortstop] so just the fact that we’re kind of next to each other really helps,” Votto said.
“I think outside of games we definitely get along well, that definitely helps. We’re also in different parts of the lineup which is a good thing,” Guerrero said.
She added, “When she does something good I think, ‘Oh, good for Kayla.’ And then I think ‘Let’s do this freshmen thing and keep building on it.’”
“I think they’ve had a really big impact, especially as freshmen, stepping up and filling the positions that they need to,” sophomore teammate Heather Pelletier said.
In particular, the pair has combined for 16 of the team’s total 22 stolen bases for the season.
“They’re both good at getting on base, so they have the opportunities to steal bases,” Pelletier explained.
Votto said she developed this talent with the help of her father.
“When I used to steal, I never really got a good lead. Then my dad told me I needed to get a better jump. It’s kind of like cheating a little, you are leaving a little earlier. That definitely has helped me get more stolen bases than I have in the past,” Votto explained, “I have a good knowledge for the game.”
Guerrero also commented on stealing bases.“I love it, stealing a base is such a pride thing. Especially when you’re not getting called out, that’s the best part about it,” she said.
Guerrero credited her success in stolen bases and the season in general to her fitness and mindset.
“I definitely think working out on my own has helped me a lot and that’s what I was hoping for so I’m really happy about that. I also think it has to do with not really focusing on where I go in the season; I’m kind of just going with it. I think just having a clear mind in the season is helping me,” Guerrero expressed.Guerrero said she plans to continue this mindset throughout the rest of the season.
“Individually I just want to stay clear mentally and just take everything step by step. I don’t want to look ahead but I also don’t want to overlook the future,” she said.
Votto described her goals for the team as a whole to wrap up the season.
“We work together fine, we’re just struggling, we don’t really know where. We’re in a little rut but as soon as we get a winning streak going our spirits will be higher. The goal is obviously to make the LEC and NCAA tournaments,” Votto said.
Diana Pimer can be contacted at dpimer@keene-equinox.com