Kiley Lynn moves into senior season more prepared than ever

MONMOUTH, Ore. – With the return to campus and practices happening again, although limited and certainly different from last year, Kiley Lynn has enjoyed the chance to play softball again. While last year ended right when the Western Oregon University softball team was beginning to make their move, they will look to carry that momentum into the 2021 season.

Leading up to what would be the final home set and games of the season against Montana State Billings, Lynn and the Wolves had just split a tough road trip at Central Washington and won the first game of the doubleheader from the Yellowjackets when news started to break that this might be the final game of the year.

"What I remember most about the final games is just thinking this could be the last game I get to play for a while and it was very sad to think about, but I just knew we had to make the most of it which we did. My first thought was 'dang me parents did get to see me play my last game' because we didn't know what was going to happen with COVID which is a scary subject. I also remember feeling sad for the seniors because that was actually the last game they got to play," Lynn said.

As it turned out, Lynn ended the season on a six-game hitting streak that included a three-hit game against Saint Martin's and a two-hit game against Central Washington. Of the 23 games played, Lynn had a hit in 14, which included five multi-hit games. Considering the hitting streak she was on and that the team had split a tournament in Florida and then were off to a 3-2 start in conference play, the end of the season was a tough pill to swallow.

"It was so hard (to end the season like we did) we had such a good team and I think we would've gone far which is hard that we missed a season. We didn't speak of the winning streak because we didn't want to jinx it, but that was huge for us taking both games from MSUB and the split with Central, as that's always our goal when we play them. We definitely tried to go out with a bang our last game because Coach Lonny Sargent was telling us how this could be the last game of the season and sadly it was," Lynn said.

Lynn was among the leaders on the team in hits and average posting a .333 average, good for fourth on the team and was fifth on the team in hits with 22. She also added seven RBI, three doubles and a triple. A regular on the infield at third base, Lynn collected 16 putouts and had 48 assists. With the page turned to the fall of 2020, Lynn was ready for the next chapter which meant a return to campus and more normalcy then had been happening over the previous months.

"I am so happy to have practices again. I love having a routine and without practice every day, it was hard. Softball is like an escape for me where I can let everything else disappear for three hours a day. I think that's what I missed most about not being able to practice. I could be having the worst day and going to practice just makes all my problems disappear for a bit. I'm excited for games to start because my team and I have so much fun and we make so many awesome memories with traveling and playing and I just miss that and also the competition. I missed being able to compete," Lynn said.

Before a return to campus, Lynn tried to stay ready by practicing at home in Arizona with the family and with some friends from her summer ball team to just stay ready.

"This summer I went home for a while which was so nice to spend time with my family. I actually practiced a lot this summer with my dad which was fun. Some girls I used to play summer ball with, we all still keep in touch and every break we get we try to have little scrimmages and get together and relive the glory days of playing three games a day in the scorching hot summer weather," Lynn said.

Another adjustment that took place back in March was learning remotely. While this was a tough adjustment for some, Lynn has made a seamless transition to learning online over the past several months.

"I personally like online learning. I know most people don't like it, but I like how I can make time to just bust out all my homework for the week. It helps me feel accomplished. I do miss social interaction, but it's not bad. I missed being in the weight room with Cori Metzgar more than anything. The workout by yourself was tough. I missed having my team behind me because we were always pushing each other in the weight room and on the field," Lynn said.

Picking a spot like third base or better known as "the hot corner" is not for everyone. For Lynn, that wasn't her position coming to WOU, but after Coach Sargent suggested a move to third, Lynn jumped at the chance and never looked back.

"I had actually not played third until I got to Western. I have always played middle infield growing up, but when I came here my freshman year, Coach Sargent asked me if I could play third and being so eager to get to play, I said yes. It was a tough transition, but Coach Sargent helped me a lot and so did Cheyanne Rimer (past seasons) she taught me everything I know because I would just try to do everything she did and it worked. If you would've asked me if I preferred third when I first tried it I would've said no. I was terrified, but now I love it," Lynn said.

It was back-to-back over .300 average seasons at the plate for Lynn, as she had a sophomore year in which she hit .316 and the previous year as a freshman, she just missed hitting .300 coming in at .288. Being able to adjust at the plate right away to make an impact comes with just Lynn's want to reach base anyway possible each at bat.

"My main approach at the plate every time is just get on base. I will do anything to get on base. I also go up to the plate saying to myself, 'I will get a hit' and it usually works out in my favor. But my club ball coach gave me a lot of confidence growing up at the plate and I think I still hear her in the back of my head sometimes. But overall, I just try to do what needs to be done at the plate. That can be if I need to move a runner I'll keep that in my head and try to hit for them because it's not always about yourself, it's about what can help the team and if a big hit comes from that, it's even better," Lynn said.

A lot of the confidence to play at the collegiate level, both at the plate and in the field came with the chance to see action right away as a true freshman. It was certainly a first appearance to remember as Lynn hit a pair of home runs against Central Washington.

"Being the designated player my freshman year gave me so much confidence just knowing Coach Sargent saw me as a good hitter so early on I was grateful for the opportunity. I remember the first game I got to play, I was so nervous like I was shaking at the plate, but luck was on my side that day I guess. It was at Central Washington and I hit a homerun and went up again and hit another one. It was a good day at the plate and it made me feel good, but I proved to myself I was good enough to hang with these older girls and now it's weird that I'm an upperclassman because it still feels like yesterday. It definitely helped me get out of my comfort zone a lot faster," Lynn said.

Some of the trips that Lynn has remembered over the years has always been the trip to regionals, but also when the team has returned to her home state of Arizona and the big wins over Central Washington.

"Regionals is a huge one of course. But when we travel to Arizona, I always enjoy getting to show my teammates around my hometown. Everyone needs to experience the heat once in their lives. Beating Central Washington will always stick out to me as that's always super exciting," Lynn said.

With the new season on the horizon and the fall practices in the rearview mirror, Lynn continues to stay focused like the rest of the team on the goal at hand with the coming year.

"I'm most excited to play games again. I think we have a really good group of girls this year and I think we will make it far. A lot of talent and everyone is getting along very well which is good because we have a big roster this year," Lynn said.

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Players Mentioned

#7 Cheyanne Rimer: Ut; 5' 8"; Senior; R-R

#4 Kiley Lynn: INF; 5' 8"; Junior; R-R

Players Mentioned

#7 Cheyanne Rimer
: 5' 8"; Senior; R-R
: Ut

#4 Kiley Lynn
: 5' 8"; Junior; R-R
: INF

Players Mentioned

#7 Cheyanne Rimer

#4 Kiley Lynn

Players Mentioned

#7 Cheyanne Rimer

#4 Kiley Lynn