Konwent Leads Badgers Charge into National Rankings
The Wisconsin Badgers softball team started this season unranked and unknown. The team now heads into Big10 Conference play with a 21-3 record, and now has the nation’s attention with a Softball America ranking of #20.
While Kayla Konwent gives all the credit to her teammates, it should be noted that she has started all 24 games. She only leads the team in BA (.485) , Hits (33), Doubles (7) , Triples, HRs (7), RBI (29), SLG% (.971), OPS (1.573), HBP (6), and TB (66). And she is a perfect 1-for-1 in stolen bases.
The County 94 caught up with Kayla after the Badgers went 5-1 at the USF Tournament in Clearwater, FL. When asked how this team has rocketed into the NCAA rankings with a 21-3 start, Konwent said, “Everybody is contributing on the field. We have the full amount of confidence that everyone is going to be able to step up in those big moments.” She added, “We have a little bit of confidence, and little bit of swag, because we beat the 9th ranked team (Texas) and the 15th ranked team (Arizona State), and we belong. We are here to play, and we also know that any non-ranked team can have a great weekend. Our pitching staff has done an absolutely incredible job. They really stepped up in those moments.”
On her surgically repaired shoulder: “It’s feeling really good, really good. I don’t remember what it used to feel like. A little surprising, yes. But I am totally fine with it, and I’m going to ride it out.”
On getting ready for conference play: “We have some pretty great teams in the Big10 this year. There is Minnesota, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, us, and Northwestern. And that is amazing for the Big10. Those games are going to be like the Texas and ASU games. Throw in everything you’ve got. Whether it means pitching once, or twice, through the lineup, then switching.”
On how it is playing and contributing with this Badger team: Our team has a chemistry and culture like we haven’t had yet. We love hanging out, and being around each other. We’ve just been having a great time. No drama, or anything like that. We just, honestly, love each other, and want the best for each other. It’s a ‘we’, not ‘me’ culture. So it is really exciting to be around. People are picking each other up, and helping each other out…. Overall, it has been amazing and super-fun to experience, and be able to actually play, and not just ride along. Because I went to some of the ones before, but I was just riding along, carrying some buckets around.”
And while she is batting .485, and leading this Badger team in almost every offensive category, she only talks about her teammates contributions, as if she is still only carrying buckets around.
Sounds like a great team culture in the Badger softball program. And good thing UW Athletics post her stats online. Because she’ll never mention them.
