16 SPORTS
SANTA ANA COLLEGE el Don/eldonnews.org • MONDAY, MAY 22, 2017
PLAYER
PROFILE
Kasey Takes
The Base
KASEY HUTTON: Record-breaking SAC
sophomore finds confidence on the field
By Noemi Mosqueda
Kasey Hutton went from a ballet dancer to becoming one of the best
softball players in the state. The Santa Ana College sophomore has been
playing the game since the age of seven, when her dad asked if she wanted
to play softball.
“I was like, ‘I don’t even know what it is but sure’,” Hutton said.
Since then, the 19-year-old from Manhattan Beach has been breaking
records and establishing herself as one of the leading softball players in
California.
Hutton leads the state with 50 stolen bases, breaking the school’s record
previously held by SAC’s assistant coach Alexandra Perkins. She is now
fourth in hits and 17th in batting average. “Kasey was phenomenal this
season — so proud of her for leading the state in stolen bases,” Co-Head
Coach Amber Grahlman said.
Hutton played travel ball and softball in high school and was thinking of
quitting until SAC coach Susie Parra asked her to play for the Dons. In high
school Hutton played softball, but didn’t think she would miss it when she
stopped playing, but she did. That’s when she made the decision to com-
mute from Seal Beach to Santa Ana, every day to play for Santa Ana.
“Playing at Santa Ana College revitalized my love for the sport,” Hutton
said.
However, success hasn’t been an easy road for her. She struggled with
depression and anxiety in high school, saying she lacked faith in herself.
“I never really believed in myself, I’ve struggled with confidence,” added
Hutton.
Playing at SAC has helped boost her confidence and gave her better
communication skills. “I used to be really shy in high school. I never really
talked but when you play softball you have to be able to communicate, or
else you can get hurt.”
Kasey enjoys the closeness and family atmosphere she shares with her
teammates, as they always text each other and sometimes get relationship
advice from coaches.
Overall, Hutton says playing softball at SAC has made her a better person
and player, as she is thriving academically and is excelling in the sport she
loves. She recently won the All-Orange Empire Conference Honors First
Team with a batting average of .482 and 65 hits.
Hutton is most proud of turning her life around, and not caring about
what others think of her. She no longer worries about trying to please
everyone else.
“I think the biggest thing I have accomplished is being able to love my-
self, be proud of who I am and not feel like I have to conform to everyone’s
needs,” Hutton said.