Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Elsea leads defending 4A champions
GRAVETTE — As Keeley Elsea makes her way to her spot in center field, she glances at the portion of the wall that portrays Gravette’s state softball championship from last year.
Instead of reminiscing about the past, the senior is actually thinking about the present.
“If I have to be honest about it, the only reason I look at it is for placement in the outfield so I’ll know where I stand,” Elsea said. “But it’s a great reminder that we can do it. We did it last year.
“It always seems hard until you’re there. So it’s always a good reminder that it’s possible.”
The glance is something Elsea hopes to do a lot over the next three days as Gravette hosts to the Class 4A state softball tournament. The Lady Lions, who are the second seed from the 4A-North Region, take on Star City in a 3 p.m. firstround game Thursday.
While Elsea said she is happy for additional opportunities to play on her home field, she doesn’t want to end her high school career there, either.
“It’s going to be about 20 times more special,” Elsea said. “Mainly, it’s turf, and a lot of fields are dirt. So that’s definitely a big advantage for us in the field. Mentally, knowing we have so much support here that it’s amazing. It’s an extra week to play here, so it’s awesome.
“None of us think we’re going to be playing our last game here. Hopefully, we’re going to make it to the state championship.”
Elsea, one of four seniors on Gravette’s roster and a four-year starter, has been a steady component throughout the spring. She leads the Lady Lions with 42 runs batted in, sports an impressive .507 batting average with 6 doubles, 5 triples and 3 home runs and has struck out only 6 times during 95 at-bats this season.
Her biggest game so far this season came April 9 against Prairie Grove when she belted two home runs and drove in six runs in a 13-0 victory. She then matched her six-RBI performance in a game against Springdale Har-Ber just two days later.
“In the outfield, she’s the leader,” Gravette Coach Samantha Luther said. “She communicates quite well with right and left, and she makes sure they know what a certain batter did last time and making sure they’re in the right spots. I hope the girls in the outfield see the leadership role Keeley has taken and understand it needs to continue when she’s going.
“She’s a complete Hoover out there. She reads the ball off the bat well, and she’s fast. She also has a great arm. She’s trusting herself more in those big moments and knows she can get the job done. She’s seen a lot of these pitchers for 2-3 years and that helps with her confidence.”
Elsea’s accomplishments an opportunity to play college softball as she has signed a national letter of intent with Southwest Baptist (Mo.).
“Offensively, this is the best season I’ve had hitting, for sure,” Elsea said. “In district, things started going a little downhill, but I’m getting back to where I was. I don’t think this it’s just because I’m a senior. I know I can do it, and I’m a lot stronger mentally this year.”