AISA SOFTBALL: Ward making adjustments to lead Macon East

Macon East senior Kandence Ward has led the Knights to 20--plus wins already in the 2021 season. (Tim Gayle)

By TIM GAYLE
CECIL -- Her name may not be at the top of the stat sheet, but Kadence Ward is a critical piece of the Macon East Academy softball team. 

The senior moved to another position, has sacrificed her offensive production and added a new role just to help her team in its quest for a state championship this season. 

The Knights were 23-1 last season heading into spring break, but the coronavirus pandemic cut short the dreams of a team that appeared more than capable of extending their streak to nine consecutive years of reaching the finals of the state softball tournament.

This year’s team, featuring Ward and seven other seniors, reached the 20-win mark last weekend heading into spring break, but often struggles for offensive consistency at the plate.

“We compared their batting average from where they were at last year and most of them were down from last year,” Macon East coach Glynn Lott said. “It’s sporadic, there’s no consistency. We try to do too much at times and I think if we would just relax and play…”

Ward, a mainstay in the outfield during her career with the Knights, moved to second base at the start of the season as former second baseman Taylor McKinney became more of a fixture in the circle.

“She played outfield for us in the past because Taylor played second and Maddie Kennedy played shortstop,” Lott said. “This year, with Taylor having to pitch more, we just felt like keeping the shortstop position between (McKinney and Kylee Smith) and have a consistent second baseman.”

Ward plays second base on her summer league team, so it wasn’t like the change was significant in her mind.

“I’ve always loved second base,” she said. “I love the outfield, too, but I feel more comfortable at second. But wherever they need me, I’ll go.”

The most dramatic change for Ward is putting her second in the batting order behind McKinney, the Knights’ leadoff batter. McKinney may be the most challenging out in the Alabama Independent School Association, a player who can change the game dramatically with one swing and is disciplined enough to earn walks from the best pitchers in the state. In a recent tournament at Lagoon Park, she was intentionally walked seven times, a challenge to Ward as teams work around McKinney to get to the No. 2 batter.

“I would say 80 percent of the time they’re walking (McKinney) or pitching around her,” Lott said. “Taylor’s real disciplined, so she’s on base a lot. Sometimes we bunt her over, sometimes we let her steal and bunt her to third, but we do bunt (with Ward) a lot and she’s gotten to be a very good bunter.

“That’s been a difference for her. The other thing, and the hardest thing about it, is any time the game is on the line, they’ll walk Taylor. To come up in that situation, it takes a few at-bats to get used to that and have the mentality ‘I’ve got to step up here and make something happen because they’re walking her to get to me.’ And she’s adapting to that role well.”

Ward is an eager batter who often discovers as she steps to the plate her role has been changed.

“I know I can put the ball on the ground and if I bunt the ball, she gets to third,” Ward said.”If I hit, she’s going to move so I have confidence in her. I’m not meant to hit home runs, so that’s not what I’m trying to do. I’m trying to move runners and score runs. When I move a runner, it makes me happy.”

Speaking of selfless roles, the Knights alternate McKinney and Smith in the circle during games, but often need a third pitcher in tournaments, a change-of-pace pitched who can eat up innings while the two stars rest. Ward has filled that role as well.

“She pitched in junior high for us,” Lott said. “We predominantly pitch Kylee (along with McKinney) because we don’t have to swap our infield around a lot, but she does come in relief a lot. She’s pitched well when she has been in the game for us. She’s always ready when we call on her.

Ward knows her role. 

“I’m not fast by any means,” she said, “but I have spin on the ball, so I like to use that to my advantage. And going from Taylor to me is definitely going to be a big change for the batters.”

It hasn’t translated to a 23-1 season in 2021, but Ward’s sacrifices have helped the Knights maintain their status as one of the top softball team’s in Class AA.

“Losing Caroline (Capps from last year’s team) was big, but we also have Taylor, we also have Kylie and I pitch,” Ward said. “And we have a defense to back our pitchers up.

“I think we have what it takes to win. With our pitchers, even if they do hit the ball, we’ll be able to get the outs. And we can hit. It’s just our mindset with some teams.”