ROCKINGHAM — Junior softball player Kearston Bruce has been named the ROSports Official Richmond County Female Athlete of the Week presented by Moss Brothers Tires & Service.
The Richmond Senior High School softball team, along with every other interscholastic athletic program across the state, saw its season put on hold over the weekend due to the COVID-19 outbreak. But before that, Bruce and her teammates went 1-1 last week in one non-conference and one Sandhills Athletic Conference contest.
Although her first varsity season has been put on hold for the moment, this is Bruce’s first career selection.
Athletic Profile
Age: 16
Birthday: August 13, 2003
Year: Junior
Spring Sport: Softball
Position: Pitcher
Years on Varsity: 1 year
Height & Weight: 5-7, 120 pounds
Experience: 13 years
“IN THE CIRCLE” WITH KEARSTON BRUCE
Bruce took the circle for the first time in her varsity career last Monday on the road at Anson High School. In her debut pitching performance, she threw a complete game and earned the win, as the Lady Raiders routed the Lady Bearcats 15-2 in five innings.
Noting it “felt really great” to get her first win out of the way, Bruce impressed with five strikeouts and allowed just two runs (one earned) on two hits. She also kept Anson off the base paths, limiting the Lady Bearcats to just four base runners.
In her 21 batters faced, Bruce threw 13 first pitch strikes and was efficient in getting eight total batters out on three pitches or less. In two innings she retired the Lady Bearcats in order (first and fifth innings) and also retired the first two batters to start the frame in three innings.
Explaining that her curveball was a big factor in her success in limiting the Lady Bearcats’ power, Bruce was able to induce eight ground ball outs and four flyouts over the five innings.
At the plate against Anson, Bruce, a Bridgewater College verbal commit, drew a walk and later scored a run to help her cause.
A night later in Richmond’s SAC opener at home against Purnell Swett High School, Bruce would return to the circle for a relief appearance. Although Richmond would drop the game 11-6, Bruce came in and threw three scoreless innings in the middle frames, while throwing five total innings.
In the seventh inning, Bruce plated a run with a sacrifice fly to help keep the Lady Raiders’ rally going.
Lady Raider Video Chats: Due to the coronavirus outbreak and school being suspended for the next two weeks, ROSports did not do a video interview with Bruce. Instead, she participated in a phone interview and answered the following questions regarding her performance so far this season.
ROSports: Explain how it felt to pitch a complete game and get a big win in your very first varsity start. What worked well for you against Anson?
Bruce: “It felt really great to get it out of the way so that I can get more wins,” Bruce said. “It took a lot of pressure off me the next game (against Purnell Swett).
“My curveball worked really well, and I got a lot of ground ball outs,” she added. “They’re not a strikeout team, so that helped me get a lot of easy outs on ground balls and pop outs.”
ROSports: Even though the team has only played three games, what has been the best part of the year so far?
Bruce: “I think we have a really good team, we’ve all played together before,” she explained. “We’re all on the same page as an entire team, which is helpful and makes our communication better.
“The best part is getting to play at night with all the fans,” she added. “It’s a really crazy feeling to be out there, and all the girls are amazing.”
ROSports: You verbally committed to play at Bridgewater College. How does knowing that help you perform for the Lady Raiders? What are you looking forward to at the college level?
Bruce: “It’s helped a lot, I’m not pressured into worrying about where I’m going to college,” Bruce said. “Coach Howard reached out to me when we were playing, and it’s a really good feeling to know there’s a coach keeping track and who cares about what I’m doing.
“I think the best part about college will be getting to continue to play,” she continued. “When I found out our season was suspended, it was really hard to be told we couldn’t play. It’s really weird and I don’t want to stop playing.”
ROSports: What are your thoughts on the COVID-19 suspension and how do you plan to stay ready for when the season resumes later this spring?
Bruce: “It’s hard, but when I came home I started practicing,” Bruce noted. “I was sad, but now I see it as having three weeks to get better.
“When we come back we’ll be ahead of everyone else. I’m going to keep throwing and we’re getting together in small groups to help keep the chemistry.”
ROSports: Name someone who is a mentor to you, and what about him or her makes them so impactful on your life?
Bruce: “Both of my parents, Jason and Melody Bruce, have been extremely helpful,” Bruce closed. “My dad has helped me develop all my skills and taught me to pitch, and my mom has helped me with academics, which is most important.”
