The CT Softball Blog

Bunnell High senior center fielder Kira Bryant knows her softball playing days are coming to an end. Once the Bunnell season is over and done with, Bryant will have one more summer before heading off to Quinnipiac University and the first stages of the rest of her life. Softball, however, has always been a part of her life, beginning in her younger days when she followed in the cleat marks of her older sister, Caitlin, and even into her teens when she played with the Caribe League in Bridgeport. Before Wednesday’s game against Kolbe Cathedral, Bryant took some time to go “Extra Innings” with the CT Softball Blog.

FIRST INNING: How did you find your way to a softball field?

KIRA BRYANT: I honestly just started when I was really little and my dad really wanted me to take after my sister who also played.

SECOND INNING: What is your favorite softball moment?

KB: I honestly might have to say yesterday (a win over West Haven). Either yesterday or beating Newtown. I think beating Newtown was a really big win for us because we’ve never beat them before.

THIRD INNING: What’s your most embarrassing moment on a softball field?

KB: My freshman year, my first ever game that I started, I was in right field and I went to go throw a ball. It slipped out of my hand, and it scored like two runs. It was terrible.

FOURTH INNING: What would your walk-up song be?

KB: My walkup song is the beginning of “No Role Modelz” by J Cole. It’s very hype.

FIFTH INNING: Do you have any superstitions? Anything you do before the game?

KB: Yes. Always drink a cherry twist Alani, do two bubbles (knots) in my hair. I always tie my right cleat before my left and then I always warm up with the same person.

SIXTH INNING: You guys lost some seniors last year and some key players transferred to private schools, yet here you are with the team 8-8 going into today’s game. How at this team responded to all that?

KB: I think we’ve honestly just adapted to the losses and not really thought about it. We’ve kind of just worked with what we had and not really focused on the losses that we had, considering there were four major losses, two of our seniors, and then two people who transferred. But we honestly just grew closer, I think, as a team in general. So, I think that helped.

SEVENTH INNING: You wear uniform No. 3. Why that number?

KB: It’s my favorite number. It’s been my favorite number since I was little. I think in one of my elementary classes my seat was No. 3, so I was just like, “Oh, No. 3.”

EIGHTH INNING: What’s the best thing about Bunnell High School?

KB: Not the food. There was a spider in it today. (Laughs). I think honestly, just the sports environment, really.

NINTH INNING: If you could change one thing about the school, other than the protein in your lunches, what would it be?

KB: I think I would change the division between the classes or between the senior class especially. There’s just a lot of different opportunities for different people.

TENTH INNING: Who is your hero?

KB: I think my sister.

ELEVENTH INNING: Hollywood is making a movie of your life. What’s the title and who stars as you?

KB: Good question. (Pauses … and asks teammates). Maybe Emma Stone and the title would be “The Big Moo Deng.”

TWELFTH INNING: What is something nobody knows about you?

KB: For a long time, actually, I danced. I used to be a very, very, very into-it dancer. I used to take its ballet.

THIRTEENTH INNING: What is your perfect breakfast?

KB: Vanilla Greek Yogurt with strawberries.

FOURTEENTH INNING: After today’s game you get to go home and have the perfect post-game dinner. What is it?

KB: Stuffed bell peppers with turkey or chicken. I don’t know what else is in it, but it’s just stuffed.

FIFTEENTH INNING: And that perfect midnight snack?

KB: Mint-Chocolate Chip ice cream.

SIXTEENTH INNING: What one word best describes Kira Bryant?

KB: Outgoing.