Kiara Conner loves defense.
The Columbus High School senior enjoys snaring pop ups and chasing down fly balls so much that she enjoys recording outs more than she does blasting home runs.
That might seem hard to believe, especially after seeing how easily Conner can use a bat to make a softball disappear.
Conner showed her knack for big hits by hitting three home runs and driving in seven runs in a doubleheader against New Hope in the opening round of the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A/6A Slow-Pitch Softball playoffs last month.
Conner showed that effort wasn’t a fluke when she went 5-for-7 with two singles, two doubles, and a home run Oct. 29 at the All-Star Slow-Pitch Softball games at Newton County High’s Mack Fanning Field in Decatur.
Conner also had six RBIs and scored four runs in an effort that earned her Most Valuable Player honors for the Class 4/5/6A North Team.
“It was an honor to be chosen,” Conner said. “I met new friends and had fun. It was surprising I did so well. I was nervous at first, but I got used to it.”
The performance capped a season in which Conner hit .655 and had 17 home runs.
Conner, who also is a member of the school’s soccer and track and field teams, is the sister of Columbus High football player Kendre Conner. Another brother, Kendrick, also played football at Columbus High.
Despite staying busy season to season, Conner said softball is her favorite sport. She said she has been playing ever since tee ball, which is when she discovered her love for defense.
“I love defense,” Conner said. “I like hitting, too, but I just like catching pop ups.”
Conner said she calmed down after her first at-bat in the All-Star games, when she hit a line drive to third base and she reached first base. She said she would like to use the experience to help her realize her goal to play softball in college. She said she has received interest from a few colleges, but she plans to continue to practice for the fast-pitch season so she can attract attention. She also plays in the outfield on Columbus High’s fast-pitch team.
“I gained confidence playing with some of the best players in the state,” Conner said. “I am going to keep doing what I do.”
Columbus High softball coach Eric Thornton has coached Conner for the last four years in slow pitch and for two years in fast pitch. He said Conner’s work ethic helped her earn a spot on stage with some of the state’s best players.
“One of the reasons she likes softball so much is it comes naturally to her,” Thornton said. “She is a very good defensive player, but she makes hitting the ball look easy, especially in slow pitch.”
Thornton smiled when asked if he knew Conner loved defense more than hitting. He said he wasn’t surprised, though, because Conner will have competitions with teammates or coaches to see who can catch the most fly balls, or run the farthest to catch a ball in practice. He said he never has to say anything to Conner about working hard in practice because he knows she wants to take her game to the next level.
Thornton also feels Conner’s opportunity to play with some of the state’s top players will help her confidence.
“Moments never seem to be too big for her,” Thornton said. “If we are down in a game and she is coming up late, I expect her to hit a ball out or to get a run in.
“She has great speed, too. That is an aspect in fast-pitch softball that will be huge for her.”
Thornton said Conner will have to work on her hitting in fast-pitch softball and cutting down the length of her swing. He said her work ethic and ability to make adjustments will help her make that transition.
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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