Eight years ago, Sydney Rainford was an aspiring young pitcher from the Midwest who wasn’t striking out batters as much as she was… punching out sofa cushions?!?
Yep… when the talented 2025 hurler first started her softball journey, she would throw wadded socks into the couch to work on her form (at least what that missing sock was used for before it disappeared!).
Here’s video of that innocuous start…
And how did that work out for Sydney?
Today, she’s one of the top prospects in her class—ranked in the Top 115 of the 2025 Extra Elite 100—and sure to go higher when the ratings are updated later this Summer. She had a strong freshman prep campaign in 2022 and also shined on the club scene and at workouts like OnDeck events.
Last spring, Sydney had a breakout high school campaign for North Newton High in Morocco, Indiana, as she compiled a 17-3 record, a 0.35 ERA and had 289 K’s in 108 innings to help her prep team shine into the Regionals and Sectional playoffs.
And in the Summer of ‘22, she was equally impressive in the circle for the Indiana Gators Premier 06 – Bishop team including strong performances at Scenic City where she tossed a no-hitter and a one-hitter against excellent competition.
Syd also raised some eyebrows at the 2022 Chicago Jamboree when she recorded an 82.82 on her Allister Index score and recorded a 65.63 on Rapsodo. At another event, she topped out at 66 mph which she has hit in her workouts as well.
In her progression from living room practice to real pitching lessons, Sydney began working out with Amy Harper, a Tincher pitching instructor with Wicked Movement in West Lafayette.
“Syd came to me at age 12,” the instructor recalls, “and I knew she was serious. She was always quiet but listening intently to everything being taught.”
“I knew from the beginning that she was special. She works harder than most kids and was not afraid of dreaming big. She has never let anything stand in her way of achieving her goals and I know she is destined for greatness in anything she chooses to pursue in life.”
Noting her off-the-field accomplishments as well, including the young athlete’s 4.0 GPA and No. 1 academic ranking in her grad class, Harper adds that her protégé is showing a lot to like for college coaches who are starting to follow her progress.
“Syd is a fighter and has a heart of gold,” she concludes. “She is smart on and off the field and is one of the most coachable kids I’ve had the privilege of coaching.”
Here’s more on the young hurler as she’s getting ready for another huge year in high school and travel ball…
Name: SYDNEY RAINFORD
Hometown/ST: Lake Village, Indiana
Grad Year: 2025
Position(s): Pitcher
Club Team: Indiana Gators
High School (City/ST): North Newton. Morocco, Indiana
GPA: 4.0
Preferred College Major: Medical Field
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Extra Inning Softball: You have a great story about how you first learned to pitch… talk about being a self-starter!
Sydney Rainford: I watched YouTube videos on how to pitch and rolled up a pair of socks and practiced pitching into the couch. I eventually started going to pitching lessons after that.
EIS: Volleyball is also a sport you compete in. Tell us how the two sports are similar and different regarding the skills you need to have and to bring to each…
SR: Volleyball is similar to softball regarding control. In volleyball you need to have control over the ball in order to get a kill or good pass/set. Same thing with softball. I need to be able to control every pitch called in order have the best outcome of each at bat. Volleyball is different regarding faster reaction time.
EIS: Being that you have two older brothers… did they have an influence on your being an athlete? If so, how?
SR: Yes. My brothers and I were quite competitive growing up. We always played whiffle ball games in my grandparents’ yard with our cousins. We also played this game where we rolled up tin foil into a small ball and tried hitting it with a small, skinny wood bat.
EIS: Academics is certainly important to you as you’ve been No. 1 in your class. Share what has helped you do so well in the classroom (and any tips for others?)…
SR: Studying has helped me a lot in the classroom. Paying attention and asking questions when needed has also helped. Wanting and trying to learn and understand has contributed.
EIS: In your eyes, what are some of the top honors and accomplishments you’ve achieved individually and with your teams in softball?
SR: Some of the top accomplishments I’ve achieved individually are my induction into the National Honor Society and receiving all conference and all area awards. With my teams, winning Regionals and the Colorado Sparkler are my top accomplishments.
EIS: What’s been your most memorable fastpitch softball experience?
SR: My most memorable experience would be winning regionals on our own field.
EIS: What would you say are your strengths on the field?
SR: I would say my focus and short memory. Staying humble would also be another one strength.
EIS: Have you set personal goals for yourself for this year?
SR: Yes, I plan to start working out more and increasing pitching and hitting velocity. I also plan to improve my movement pitches.
EIS: Do you have any softball superstitions?
SR: Yes. If I do good one game, I have to wear my hair the same the next. Same thing with my rosin bag.
EIS: What would you say is your philosophy in life?
SR: Go after what you love and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
EIS: If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be on-field? Off the field?
SR: On the field: Composed; off the field: hardworking.
EIS: What worries you most about what classmates your age are facing in the future?
SR: It worries me that classmates won’t take their education seriously and will regret it later on in life.
EIS: If you won a million dollars and had to spend it all in 24 hours, how would you spend it?
SR: I would spend it on a nice lake house that my family and I would enjoy.
EIS: What’s been your favorite vacation or place you’ve visited?
SR: My favorite vacation was when I went to Florida for softball last year. We went to Busch Gardens.
EIS: What’s been your favorite place you’ve placed softball?
SR: My favorite place I’ve played softball would be Colorado.
EIS: What’s the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome in life?
SR: I’ve had to overcome being shy.
EIS: If you were stranded on a desert island, what’s the one thing you’d want to have with you (sorry: can’t be a phone as they’re no cell towers nearby!)
SR: Water!
EIS: If you could have dinner with anyone… living or dead… who would it be?
SR: Luke Combs.
EIS: Finally, what’s one thing or accomplishment about you that is unusual or unique which few know (until know)?
SR: Few know that I used to have and ride horses.
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EXTRA INSIGHTS:
What’s your favorite softball item, like a preferred bat, glove, etc.?
My rosin bag.
Favorite item(s) in your closet:
My letterman’s jacket.
Favorite school subject:
Math.
Best way to unwind is…
Watching TV with my family.
If you have 30 minutes to shop and $100 to spend, where do you go?
Dick’s Sporting Goods.
What’s playing in your headphones right now?
Luke Combs.
Celebrity you’d like most to hang out with…
Adam Sandler.
Favorite college uniform (and why):
Virginia’s. I love the pinstripe pants and their colors.
Calories aside, what food could you eat and never get sick of?
Ice cream.
Best talent off the field?
Volleyball.
What drives you to play the game of softball?
The friendships and accomplishments that I make through softball drive me to play.
What have you learned most about yourself over the last year or two?
I have learned that I’m thankful to be where I am and to have the family that I have.
Who inspires you (athletically & non-athletically):
Athletically, Montana Fouts; non-athletically, my parents.
When you leave the game of softball, how do you want to be remembered and what will you do when you’re finished playing to help grow the game?
I want to be remembered as hardworking and inspiring. When I’m done playing, I’ll help coach to grow the game.
— Brentt Eads, Extra Inning Softball
