Softball is a team sport, so senior catcher Grace King certainly hasn’t become a solo act for Carmel. She does stand alone in at least one respect, however.
The Louisville commit was closely linked with teammate Grace Brown during the first three years of her high school career. But Brown has graduated and is playing at St. Joseph’s University.
“It will, for sure, be different this year without having her on the team,” King said.
The similarities between them are striking, as Brown noted.
“It was super unique and fun to have someone that was so similar to myself,” Brown said. “Grace and I already had so much in common, having the same first and middle names, our birthdays being one day apart, both originally playing the same positions and also both playing basketball in our freshman and sophomore years.
“Then it was really crazy that we both tore our ACLs within two months of each other. But that just connected us even more.”
Indeed, both King and Brown were sidelined for the entire 2024 season. But the two sluggers — yes, they share that quality too — returned last year to carry the Corsairs (20-10) to a sectional championship game for the first time since their Class 3A fourth-place finish in 2016.
King batted .558 with 13 doubles, three triples, 16 home runs, 54 RBIs and 40 runs scored, while Brown hit .589 with 18 doubles, five triples, 15 home runs, 64 RBIs and 56 runs scored. Both were Class 3A all-state first-team picks.
“She also helped teach me how to lead,” King said. “So this year the goal is to continue that leadership.”
Carmel coach Nicole Parney said King is ready for the challenge.
“Her leadership really developed in the year she missed,” Parney said. “She got to be a leader on the dugout side of the field, which paid dividends last year on the field.”
It had been a long road back for King, who batted .480 with 11 home runs and 43 RBIs as a freshman in 2023, when she was an all-state second-team selection and she and Brown powered the Corsairs to 23 wins and a Class 3A regional title. King suffered a torn ACL and a torn meniscus in her right knee as she attempted a layup during a basketball game that December and wasn’t cleared to play until September 2024.
“Physically, it was hard to go from zero,” King said. “I had to almost relearn to do everything, including walking. But it was mentally more challenging.”
Not that King showed any rust last season.
“Grace did not miss a step last year,” Parney said. “She was better than before.”
As King takes the reins, the Corsairs are prepared to follow her, according to Carmel senior infielder Kaitlyn Konen.
“Grace is the kind of teammate everyone looks up to,” Konen said. “She’s a natural leader who really understands the game and knows how to command the field. She brings confidence and positive energy, and she truly believes in all of us, which helps us believe in ourselves too.”
Carmel junior infielder/pitcher Bella Cameron has experienced that with King behind the plate.
“While I’m pitching, she stays hyped and upbeat, and she takes the time to help me settle in through my ups and downs,” Cameron said.
King expects more ups than downs for the Corsairs this season. Six starters return.
“I’m excited to see what happens this year,” she said. “Hopefully, it will be some good things.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
