Loverich enters final year seeking to lead women’s softball team to first title

/>By Victoria Jolley | gargoyle@flagler.edu

Four-year veteran Kaylyn Loverich’s goal is simple: lead the Flagler College women’s softball team to their first ever conference title. Being one of two four-year seniors, Loverich will take it upon herself to not only be a leader on the field, but also guide her teammates off the field as well.

“Being a team captain means more responsibilities than we have ever had before,” Loverich said. “We feel like the girls will follow our example if we work hard on and off the field, as well as give 100 percent at all times.”

It has taken coach Overton five years to choose to elect team captains, and this year she has chosen Loverich, as well as Lauren Bessent, to help lead the team this season.

“Kaylyn has always had hard work ethic and demeanor to be a captain,” Overton said.

With a credible background and a ton of experience, Loverich hopes to lead this young group by example. She graduated from Bartram Trail High School where she lettered in softball for three years and posted a 22-4 record with a total of 236 strikeouts.

She also helped lead her team to Conference, District, Regional and State titles in 2009. Loverich earned Florida High School 5A All-State Pitcher of the Year and a first-team selection, too.

Loverich endured many changes during her career at Flagler. From being one of six pitchers in the beginning, she is now being called on as the workhorse for the team and number one on the staff. Even though she’s dealt with three different pitching coaches, she has found a way to be productive and produce wins from the circle.

During her first season at Flagler, Loverich excelled by making 31 appearances from the mound with 18 starts, and posted a 13-5 record with four saves. She tossed her first collegiate no-hitter against Georgia Southwestern, sparking a sign of good things to come. During her sophomore year, she made 22 appearances with 19 starts, and posted a 10-8 record and one save to go along with a 1.83 earned run average.

Last season she made 25 appearances with 23 starts. She also tossed four shutouts in 18 complete games. Loverich went up the charts and earned a 2.23 earned run average, too.

“She is the same person she was when I recruited her,” Overton said. “Level-headed, hardworking, determined and feisty. That’s what makes her so good on and off the field.”

Photo by Dyann Busse