The CT Softball Blog

CHESHIRE—Avery Radford’s road to a college softball field was filled with hard-work, twists and turns, and even a national championship.

It also had an exit ramp and for a while Radford, a rising senior at Cheshire High School, opted to take that exit and take a short little hiatus from the game.

Upon her return to the softball field, however, Radford came home with a new attitude and rediscovered her passion for the game.

This past spring she worked herself into a starting outfield spot with Cheshire as it won the CIAC Class LL championship.

Now, this summer, Radford has also announced that she will continue her playing career beyond high school, verbally committing to the application process to play at American International College in Springfield, Mass.

“Honestly, it means a lot,” Radford said. “The connection I made with the coaches meant a lot. They really helped me love the sport so much more.”

AIC came on Radford’s radar more than a year ago when a former teammate became the conduit who introduced her to the program.

“We started talking a little bit and I went to a few camps and to meet the team,” Radford said. “The coaches just showed me how the future could be.”

Not only did she win a USSSA national title when she was playing for the Rawlings Wildcats 10U squad, but Radford was also named the tournament MVP.

Soon after, however, Radford started to feel a little frustrated with the game of softball and the things that were happening outside of the baselines.

She needed a break, and she took it.

“I took a break because of all the outside noises,” Radford admitted. “There were battles, not getting a position I wanted. I kind of let all that outside talk come in and there was a time when I quit. I used softball, in a way, as a distraction at first, but I came to love it. That break showed me that it was for me and once I realized that I went back to it.”

While she plays outfield for Cheshire High, Radford is also a really good pitcher.

While the Rams have St. John’s University-bound Jenica Matos as their starter, Radford has shined in the circle on travel fields throughout the region and AIC wants her as a pitcher—something she is really excited about.

“They do want me to pitch there,” said Radford, who is currently pitching for the CT Charmers travel program. “But they also like how athletic I am, and she wants me to hit and some infield, too, maybe. But pitching is my strong point and knowing I’m going to college to pitch is really exciting. All the hard work I’ve put in trying to become a No. 1 pitcher, and now knowing I can go pitch in college is really empowering.”

Her athletic career actually began as a gymnast, and little did Radford know the flips and twists from her gymnastics days would spill over into the softball journey.

There were good days and bad days, valleys and mountaintops, but Radford found her way through that topsy turfy world to land on her feet.

She started softball perhaps a bit later some others (“my dad never took that as con,” she said) and immediately liked how so many aspects of the game were different.

“I like the way it’s not all the same thing all at once,” she said. “Like in lacrosse you’re running and doing the same thing, but between pitching, infield, outfield, hitting, running, it’s not all the same.”

While there has always been something special about stepping inside that circle, Radford wanted to find any way she could to contribute with the traditionally successful Cheshire program.

“From my freshman year, I knew I wanted a starting position,” Radford said. “Even the battle to make varsity was so hard, but once I made varsity, I wanted to prove to myself and the coaches that I could stick there, and I hope they have the trust in me so I could stay out there.”

On May 14, against North Haven, Radford came off the bench and had a two-run hit and scored a run in the Rams’ win.

She started the rest of the season in left field and in her first three games as a starter she went 6-for-9 with four runs scored and four RBIs.

While she did quiet down offensively, during the state tournament championship run Radford did have a hit, walked twice, scored three runs and had two RBIs.

Walking off the field as a state champion was something she’ll never forget.

“That was the biggest goal we had,” Radford said. “That last pitch, it just clicked in us that we had won, and it was just a very exciting moment.”

Almost as exciting: Picking your college.

“Now, since I’m committed, I just have to keep proving myself to the coaches,” Radford said. “I want to show the coaches I can start, but I know freshman year is hard to get that position. But I just want to help out the team anyway I can.”

Radford hopes to major in criminal psychology while she’s at AIC.

Many years ago, Radford took a break from the sport.

As she goes into her senior year at Cheshire High, she’s ready for at least five more seasons between the baselines.

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