Topeka’s own Kasey Hamilton nears start of professional career, after KU softball success
LAWRENCE — Although Kasey Hamilton’s Kansas softball career came to an end earlier this year, it’s not going to be the last time she plays softball.
The Coastal Bend Tidal Wave, of the Women’s Professional Fastpitch league, announced earlier this month Hamilton has signed with the organization. That means Hamilton, a local star out of Topeka who played at Washburn Rural High School, will have the chance to continue playing after her time with the Jayhawks. And her team’s season starts up this week and runs into August.
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“I mean, I was fired up for her,” KU head coach Jennifer McFalls said about Hamilton. “I think — she came in my office and just had a little extra beam in her eye when she told me she was going to go to play. She was excited about the opportunity, and I think she just said, ‘I just don’t feel like I was done.’ And I’m proud of her, I really am.”
McFalls added Hamilton had a few different opportunities to become involved in this summer, and this was the one Hamilton gravitated toward the most. McFalls talked about Hamilton being able to have more fun this summer. That’s after a season in which Hamilton nearly helped Kansas to its first NCAA tournament since 2015.
The Jayhawks came up short in that endeavor, but Hamilton still played a pivotal role. She led the team with 167.0 innings pitched, 103 strikeouts, and came away with a 3.40 ERA and 11-14 record for a team that finished 28-25-1. Part of why McFalls views Hamilton as someone an organization like the Coastal Bend Tidal Wave would want, is because she’s a left-handed pitcher who can dominate with her curveball.
McFalls added Hamilton does everything you would ask a pitcher to do, and everything a fan would want an athlete to do. McFalls will miss Hamilton’s leadership and passion for the game. Time will tell the effect Hamilton can have on the Coastal Bend Tidal Wave.
“Any time you have a lefty pitcher in the circle, that is significant,” McFalls said. “But probably, most importantly, is just her compete factor. I mean, Kasey’s a great athlete. She’s really not just a pitcher, she’s a great athlete, and she plays — she fields her position well, she plays with a lot of passion, she’s fun to watch, she’s very engaging with people. So, she’s a great attraction for fans and little kids.”
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kasey Hamilton nears start of pro career after KU softball success
