Kennedy Diggs Pitches Her Way to Missouri High School Record

There was only supposed to be one pitcher in the Diggs family.

And when older sister Kaylee claimed that role, Kennedy Diggs settled into a role as a middle infielder on the softball diamond.

How things have changed.

“I wasn’t supposed to be a pitcher. My parents were like, we are only having one. And then I pitched one day at practice, and they were like, yeah, you’re going to be a pitcher.”

Diggs not only has worked her way into the circle as a starting pitcher at Sherwood High School, she also recently broke the Missouri High School career strikeout record. She topped the previous mark of 1,131 strikeouts set by Paige Bedsworth and currently has 1,229 career K’s.

Couple that with the fact that she already owns the Missouri single-season strikeout record and it’s easy to see why the Diggs family has come to terms with having two pitchers in the family.

Prior to the strikeout records, there was a year of learning behind her sister Kaylee and Mac Morgan as a freshman.

“I think it was really great for me to build my way into the program because I was at shortstop, so I had a good view of what was going on. It gave me an opportunity to watch and learn. I was there to back her up, and it helped me know how much I need to use my head, how much I have to throw this to certain batters and stay positive, especially with a small school.”

Diggs embraced the challenge of becoming the staff ace after Kaylee departed for the University of Central Missouri and Morgan left for Arizona State University.

“It was kind of crazy. It was like I just grew up suddenly because I felt like Mac and my sister had always been there and all of a of a sudden it was like they’re not there anymore. Like, you have to do it now.”

She burst upon the scene as a sophomore in 2021 and finished the year with 400 strikeouts, which was only four away from the state record. More importantly, she helped lead the Lady Marksmen to a runner-up finish in the state tournament.

Motivated by falling just four strikeouts away from setting the state single-season record, Diggs had her mind firmly focused on breaking the record in 2022.

And what a performance she turned in as she shattered the state record as she finished the year with 511 strikeouts.

“Going into the season the goal was just to beat 404 because that was the record. I got to 400 the year before and we had a game that was canceled so it was heartbreaking because you’re so close to setting that record. Coming back for my junior year, that was really the goal to just hit 405. And getting 511 was really crazy. We had a 36-game schedule, and I pitched in all 36 games. It was a tiring year, but it was definitely worth it.”

After racking up 911 strikeouts in her first two years, her parents alerted Diggs to the fact that the Missouri career record was within reach.

The softball gods were at work for Diggs as she broke the record on Senior Night against Harrisonville.

“It lined up perfectly because we had a tournament in Warrensburg, and they canceled our last two games because of rain. And then it just lined up perfectly for Senior Night.

“It means a lot to me because I put so much work into the sport and my family has put so much work into the sport. My dad pitches with me every night and helps me to get better. Getting the strikeout record was really like me giving back to him and me proving to myself that it’s really paying off.”

Diggs has been handsomely rewarded for her excellence in the circle as she has been named an Extra Inning Softball First Team All-American in 2022 and has been selected first team all-state in both 2021 and 2022.

There is one thing that has eluded Diggs during her career and that is the Missouri state championship.

Sherwood was the state runner-up in 2021 and repeated as the state runner-up in 2022.

“I think finishing as the runner-up the last two years is really motivating us,” Diggs said. “This is our hurrah, so we’re really giving our all and trying to do what’s best for everybody.”

Diggs will lead Sherwood into the district playoffs on Oct. 12 as they begin the road back to a potential state tournament berth.

Diggs will continue playing softball collegiately as she has committed to the University of Kansas.

“KU is close to home. It’s not too close, but it’s not too far, so that’s really great. The school offers great opportunities for the girls and has a great family-like environment and softball team. And it was really what I was looking for in terms of education and athletics.

“I’m really excited. Competing at the next level, we’re going to get girls that are just as motivated and into the sport as I am. We’re all going to be working hard together to achieve the same goals. So it’s really exciting to get the same things back that I’m giving forward.”

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