SPRINGDALE — Kylie Buttram finally exceeded her warning-track power on April 8 at Hunt's Park.
That's when Buttram connected for her first career home run during a 6-4 loss to Rogers. The senior third baseman hit a home run during summer-league game at Tulsa last year, but the blast against Rogers was her first in four years with Har-Ber.
Profile
Kylie Buttram
SCHOOL: Springdale Har-Ber
CLASS: Senior
POSITION: Third base
HEIGHT: 5-7
NOTABLE: Softball and volleyball player for Lady Wildcat. … Hitting .390 with 1 home run, 5 doubles, and 13 RBI. … Hit her first career home run during 6-4 loss to Rogers. … Will play next season at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, a junior college in Miami, Okla. … Hopes to work as a pediatric oncologist or a nurse practitioner after completing her education.
Buttram, who's had a handful of drives die deep in the outfield, said she felt a sense of relief as she rounded third base and crossed the plate.
"Finally," Buttram said with a big smile. "I finally got a good piece of one."
Buttram has made repeated contact this spring for Har-Ber (13-7, 4-3), which continues 7A/6A-West Conference play at Bentonville today. She is the most improved hitter on the team with a .390 batting average that includes 5 doubles and 13 RBIs. Buttram continued her hot hitting on Tuesday when she went 2 for 3 during a 10-0 victory over Springdale.
"This year, Kylie has come into the game more focused," Har-Ber coach Lynn Lawson said. "She's always played the game with passion but it's far and away better than it's ever been."
Buttram said she's been able to relax at the plate and just enjoy her senior year. That attitude stems in part because she's already signed to continue her softball career in college. She'll play next year at Northeastern, Okla. A&M Junior College in Miami, Okla.
Buttram got a tryout with NEO at the urging of Kaitlin Davis, a former Springdale player who is a currently a sophomore with the two-year school.
"Kaitlin Davis and I have been lifelong friends and she recommended me to their coach," Buttram said. "He hit me ground balls and I hit with them indoors, and he liked the way I threw overhand. I was really happy when they offered and I think I'll get better the next two years there."
Buttram's confidence at the plate has extended to her defense, where she is fielding at a 94 percent clip. Buttram is also 1-0 on the mound after beating Rogers Heritage in a non-conference game at Van Buren.
"Kylie has worked to get an opportunity to play at the next level," Lawson said. "She sees her ability as a God-given gift and I know she's going to make the most of it."
Buttram also played volleyball for the Lady Wildcats.
"I've been playing volleyball since I was eight years old," Buttram said. "I like that it's a fast-paced game, but I pretty much stopped growing and decided to focus on softball."
That work paid off with her first home run and a chance to play next year in college.
Sports on 04/17/2014