East County Athlete of the Week: Maddie Kasch

The Braden River High softball team has had a tough season, but freshman Maddie Kasch has given the Pirates good reason to think better days are ahead.

The freshman pitcher, first baseman and outfielder leads the team in batting average (.386), hits (17) and pitching appearance (16). 

Perhaps more impressively, Kasch was nominated as a team captain midway through the season. 

After opening the season with a 23-0 win over Southeast, Braden River lost seven games in a row — a stretch during which it lost senior captain and ace pitcher Kaydence Evans to injuries.

Despite that misfortune, Kasch and the Pirates have stuck together and are building toward a better future.

When and why did you start playing softball? 

I started playing softball when I was 5. I was playing a lot of sports back then and none of them spoke to me. When I started playing softball it really interested me, and I really wanted to play.

What has been the most memorable part of this season?

Probably being nominated as team captain. I was mind-blown. It wasn’t really supposed to happen, but we had a lot of injuries and it affected our team a lot. It happened midseason, and I was blown away.

What’s gone right for you personally this year?

My hitting, definitely. Before this season I was in a six-month slump, and thanks to my coaches, my hitting got fixed up a lot and I started to hit the ball way better. It’s my mindset, too, because I lost a lot of confidence. I was taught that I have to build my confidence back up if I wanted to do better. 

It’s been a tough season, but what has made it worthwhile?

I would say our bond. Even though we might not be the best team right now, we have a really good bond with each other. I really like coming to practice and saying ‘Hi’ to these girls and laughing with them.

What’s your favorite softball memory of all-time?

Back when I was in 14U with my old travel team, we were playing in a World Series and I had 14 strikeouts. 

What’s your favorite meal?

Chicken fettuccine alfredo. I like to eat it at home, and if I went to a restaurant I’d pick Carrabba’s because my dad works there. 

What’s your favorite TV show or movie?

Outer Banks. It’s a TV show on Netflix. I like how the story builds and how these teens bond with each other. It reminds me of our team right now, how we’re struggling with a lot, but we’re still friends at the end of the day.

What’s your go-to warm-up song?

There’s a lot of songs that I listen to, but if I had to choose one, it would be ‘Pose’ by Lil Uzi Vert. 

What’s been your most humbling moment in softball?

Probably my six-month slump. I couldn’t hit the ball the way I wanted to and it really brought me down a lot. But since I overcame that, I realized that if I lose my confidence that I’m going to lose my hitting and even my fielding. So if I want to step on the field, I have to have my confidence up.

Who is your favorite softball player and why? 

For my friends, I’d say Bella Toscano. She’s a really good hitter and a really good pitcher as well. She used to be on my travel team and we’ve known each other since we were 7 or 8 years old. 

Finish this sentence. Maddie Kasch is…

Cool.