Addison Hughes has transitioned into more of a leadership role at Sand Springs.
Hughes, a junior pitcher/first baseman, has also made a presence on the field.
From the pitcher’s circle in her first 10 appearances, she recorded 45 strikeouts in 45 innings, earned a big win against Deer Creek in the Broken Arrow Tournament and did not allow a hit in four innings in a win over Jones.
“She has great control and spin on her ball,” Sand Springs’ head coach Shelli Brown said. “She will make a big difference on the mound this year and she has a year of experience to help her out.”
“This year, I feel like I have improved on being more vocal on the field and stepping up and taking on the upperclassman role,” Hughes said.
As a sophomore, Hughes went 14-10 as a pitcher. In 141 innings pitched, she collected 140 strikeouts, issued just 21 walks and posted a 2.49 earned run average. She helped Sand Springs to a win over Moore, a state qualifier, and had one of her top pitching performances in a loss to Owasso.
“One of the best games I’ve ever thrown,” said Hughes, who also cherishes two wins against Southmoore, when she reached her 100th strikeout last year and her no-hitter early this season. “[Owasso] is a really good team and I have a lot of respect for them. It’s tough facing them every season and in the summer on our respective competitive teams. I’ve played against a lot of them since we were old enough to play softball.”
Hughes, who has hopes of playing college softball and wants to study education or phlebotomy, is very involved in her church and youth group at Carbondale Assembly of God, a member of the National Honor Society and is a two-time academic all-conference selection.
Her biggest influence in both life and on the softball field is her parents.
“They are both amazing role models to look up to. They both push me to be the best christian, daughter, sister, student and athlete I can be,” Hughes said. “When it comes to softball they are my biggest fans. They are always at every game, being my biggest supporter. They have taught me that hard work will get you far in life.”
