Smart, focused and competitive… that’s a pretty good summary of pitcher Kendra Lewis from Illinois who is coming off an amazing two-year run where her Milan High team won back-to-back Class 2A state titles without losing once in those championship runs.
But this year’s trophy didn’t come easy as it took 11 innings, over three hours and a record-setting number of pitches!
Here’s more on this talented 2024 to keep an eye on…
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Name: Kendra Lewis
Hometown/ST: Milan, IL
Grad Year: 2024
Position(s): P/MIF
Club Team: Heartland Havoc 05 (with teammate and current Washington commit Jadyn Glab). Kendra notes: “My high school coach is also my club coach (John Nelson) he has been very successful with Rockridge winning three state championships and one 3rd place finish in seven years (high school) and Heartland Havoc 05.”
High School (City/ST): Rockridge High School in Taylor Ridge, IL
GPA: 4.0
College: TBD
Preferred College Major: Secondary Education – Math
You’ve had quite the accomplished career already… in your eyes, what are some of the top honors and accomplishments you’ve achieved individually and with your teams?
We are the first Illinois high school softball team to have back-to-back undefeated seasons including being the 2A State Champs two years in a row as a pitcher through both season’s state series (freshman and sophomore year).”
My freshman year, I broke the single season batting average for my high school, batting .612. My high school team is making history-setting state records as we are currently 65-0—the second longest winning streak in Illinois softball history—with the record being 69). We have not lost since the 2019 semifinal game at state (they ended up 3rd place during the COVID year then it took the 2020 season away).
Individually, I have pitched 43 games in this streak with an outstanding catcher, 2022 grad Bailah Bognar, who is headed to Illinois State University, and was awarded Illinois Coaches Association 1st Team All-State honors my freshman and sophomore seasons; the Western Illinois Player of the Year 2021, and unanimous 1st team All-Conference my freshman and sophomore years (202).”
My club highlights have been winning and pitching in the final game at the Fastpitch World Series in 2020 with the IPF 14U National team that had Teagan Kavan, a Texas commit. We were runners-up after a close game against Virginia Unity at the 2021 Top Gun Invitational with Beverly Bandits – Scibelli.
I have also had great high school competition playing against talented players like Taylor Pannell (competing for the Univ. of Tennessee in the fall) and in the 2022 state game competed against Kentucky pitching commit Lizzy Ludwig.
What’s been your most memorable softball experience?
Winning Illinois 2A State undefeated both in 2021 and 2022, especially this year’s game after a record-breaking 11 innings (longest inning state game) with193 pitches (most pitches thrown in a state game) and three hours (longest length) game, ending with a strike out.
What would you say are your strengths on the field?
I have a competitive nature and hate to lose more than I love winning.
Have you set personal goals for yourself for this year?
This year I hope to increase my pitching speed by two mph; I’m currently pitching 64 mph consistently and 66 mph highest during game. Or, in general, to continue to balance school, social, and athletics to successfully further my education
Do you have any softball superstitions?
Since starting high school ball I do, I have my hair done the same each game and find myself putting my uniform in a specific order each time. During post season I have a “lucky” ice cream cone cup/water bottle I drink from. I also don’t like anyone grabbing the ball before me between innings, I like to get it and go!
What would you say is your philosophy in life?
Stay positive, stay humble, and work hard to get one percent better every time I step on the field.
If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be on-field? Off the field?
On the field: Determined. Off the field: Hysterical.
What worries you most about what classmates your age are facing in the future?
Social media’s impact on our generation and unrealistic expectations.
If you won a million dollars and had to spend it all in 24 hours, how would you spend it?
A pink jeep, a house in Texas, donate to St Jude’s (my teammate Teagan Nees has battled and beat cancer in the last 18 months) and take a vacation to Hawaii to visit my Uncle Brett who has flown to watch me play all over the country.
What’s been your favorite vacation or place you’ve visited?
Hawaii in March 2020 but while we were there COVID started shutting everything down.
What’s been your favorite place you’ve placed softball?
Las Vegas was the most fun!
What’s the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome in life?
In softball it is my height; I am 5-foot-6 and don’t fit the “classic pitcher” look. I work hard to be a successful pitcher by using my leg strength and a fast windmill.
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!)
A boat to leave (laughs)!
If you could have dinner with anyone… living or dead… who would it be?
Katy Perry. I have loved her since I was seven years old.
Finally, what’s one thing or accomplishment about you that is unusual or unique which few know (until know)?
I can out eat my teammates in a Texas Roadhouse eating contest.
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EXTRA INSIGHTS:
What’s your favorite softball item, like a preferred bat, glove, etc.?
Something that has turned heads for years… I have used the 2013 DeMarini Insane Endload CF5 since 8U and, as they break, have had to purchase used ones online (eBay). This season, in the second high school game, my last one we’d found had sadly cracked.
Favorite item(s) in your closet:
Adidas White Shoes.
Favorite school subject:
Algebra.
Best way to unwind is…
I love to go fishing.
If you have 30 minutes to shop and $100 to spend, where do you go?
TJ Max or Marshalls.
What’s playing in your headphones right now?
Low by FloRida.
Celebrity you’d like most to hang out with…
Bruno Mars.
Favorite college uniform (and why):
My favorite color is purple, so I have to say Washington’s.
Calories aside, what food could you eat and never get sick of?
Chicken nuggets with ranch dressing.
Best talent off the field?
Painting.
What drives you to play the game of softball?
I love the competitiveness of the game and hating to lose drives me to constantly keep working.
What have you learned most about yourself over the last year or two?
It is okay to work on myself even if it sometimes means putting others second.
Who inspires you (athletically & non-athletically):
Athletically: I’ve loved watching Rachel Garcia play for UCLA. Non-athletically: My mom and I are very close.
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 people to think I wasn’t just good at softball but was a good person. I love having fun in the dugout, I want to be remembered as a good teammate and good friend to my softball sisters. I want to coach after my playing years are over.
— Joy Roeder, correspondent with Extra Inning Softball
