Kilee Grant skipped middle school softball altogether.
But she’s right where she belongs at the high school level.
Grant, an eighth-grader, tossed a complete game in Blue Ridge’s 13-2 win over Berea on Tuesday night. She allowed just one hit and no earned runs, striking out 10. She currently boasts a 0.61 ERA on the year, having allowed just two runs over 32 innings so far this season.
Her success this season, and at such a young age, comes as no surprise to those who know her best.
“Kylie has got to be one of the hardest workers I know,” said Blue Ridge head softball coach Jessica Corn. “It doesn’t matter the situation, she’s always working. I’ll pull up to David Jackson Park, even if we don’t have practice as a team, and she’s out there getting in work. That’s what it comes down to.”
“It’s been really nice having my defense talk me up during games,” said Grant. “And I know that if someone hits one of my pitches, they’re right there to back me up.”
Grant and freshman Lily Mulkey have formed an impressive pitching duo this season for the Lady Tigers, with both pitchers boasting sub-0.70 ERAs. They’ve been a huge reason for Blue Ridge’s hot start. The Lady Tigers are 9-1 and unbeaten in 4-A Region 2 play.
Against Berea on Tuesday, Mulkey went 3-5 at the plate with three runs and an RBI. Brynlee Bayne was 4-4 with 3 RBIs and two runs, and Khloe Metcalf was 2-4 with a two-RBI double.
The bats stayed flaming for a Blue Ridge team averaging over 11 runs per game this season. Grant took care of the rest on the mound.
Grant still attends Blue Ridge Middle School, but she’s been a vital piece to the Lady Tigers varsity team for two years now.
“I didn’t really expect this,” said Grant. “I thought I was going to play middle school ball and slowly work my way up.”
“Especially after last year playing varsity, she knows the ins and outs of hitting these spots when facing good hitters,” said Corn. “She does it beautifully.”
Naturally, competing against players often four or five years older than her, Grant says she occasionally gets nervous before games. She locks in and calms down before games, however, when blasting some pregame classic 70s and 80s rock.
“Even when she does get nervous, you’ll never see it on her face,” said Corn. “And that’s rare for a player her age. Whether she just gave up a hit or is throwing strikeouts, her demeanor doesn’t change.
“She’s always been like that. She’s on a big stage, but knowing Kilee, none of this surprises me.”
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