By: Tony Marks
Written for the LSWA
Life never happens in a straight line. There are always curves that are meant to test a person’s endurance.
Kynzee Anderson was thrown one of these bends at a young age, getting cut from her travel ball team. She then persevered to become one of the top softball players in Louisiana, and the nation, eventually signing with the University of Georgia.
The Louisiana Sports Writers Association also named Anderson its Miss Softball recipient for the second consecutive year.
“I feel it was a blessing in disguise,” she said. “I think those struggles have really helped motivate me and shape me into the player I am. Softball has taught me that you can’t give up when things are hard. If you really love something you have to keep working hard no matter what happens or what others say. I love that I’m able to keep playing at the next level because it was always a dream of mine, and I can’t wait.”
Anderson’s lowered her earned run average each year at Calvary. She began with a 2.74 ERA as a freshman to a 0.61 this past season as a senior.
Anderson’s also won the Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year for a second season and is a two-time Class 2A Most Outstanding Player and four-time, first-team selection.
“I’d like to say this is truly a huge honor,” Anderson said. “First and foremost, I want to give all thanks to God for giving me this talent, and my parents for all the support that they have given me and continue to give me. I love this game, and I definitely can’t do it alone. My coaches are a huge part of this also. I wouldn’t have gotten here without them.”
Anderson was 30-1 in the circle with 318 strikeouts in 171 innings.
Calvary Baptist coach Tiffany Wood, the Class 2A Coach of the Year after leading the Lady Cavaliers to their sixth straight state crown, admires Anderson’s personality traits.
“Kynzee is a great competitor and even better person,” she said. “She’s humble and confident and works extremely hard. She’s always looking for ways to get better. Her future at Georgia is bright.”
La. Farm Bureau Insurance/LSWA Miss Softball winners
1996: Ashley Lewis, Central
1997: Ashleigh Ivey, Barbe-Lake Charles
1998: Micah Barbato, Lafayette
1999: Mandy Mullins, Sacred Heart-Ville Platte
2000: Sarah Meadors, Denham Springs
2001: Beth Provost, Teurlings Catholic
2002: Beth Provost, Teurlings Catholic
2003: Britni Bowen, Sterlington
2004: Leah Heintze, St. Amant
2005: Kellie Eubanks, St. Amant
2006: Ashley Brignac, John Curtis
2007: Ashley Brignac, John Curtis
2008: Lauren Crane, Vandebilt Catholic
2009: Lauren Wilson, Belle Chasse
2010: Christina Hamilton, Rosepine
2011: Courtney Ivey, Oak Hill
2012: Baylee Corbello, Sam Houston
2013: Baylee Corbello, Sam Houston
2014: Katie Brignac, John Curtis
2015: Tanner Wright, Sam Houston
2016: Bailey Hemphill, St. Thomas More
2017: Emma Callie Delafield, North DeSoto
2018: Abby Allen, Ouachita Parish
2019: Mary-Cathryn Comeaux, Brusly
2020: Season canceled
2021: Maci Bergeron, Notre Dame
2022: Corine Poncho, Notre Dame
2023: Addison Jackson, St. Amant
2024: Maddie Taylor, Sterlington
2025: Kynzee Anderson, Calvary Baptist
2026: Kynzee Anderson, Calvary Baptist