Columbus East graduate and Syracuse freshman second baseman Kenzie Foster looks to turn a double play against Virginia Tech.
Photo courtesy of Syracuse University Athletic Communications
Indiana isn’t known as an exceptionally warm climate, but compared to upstate New York, Columbus might sometimes feel balmy.
For that reason, the Syracuse softball team spent the first month or so of the season playing in the south. So for Kenzie Foster, her freshman year of college wasn’t a huge adjustment.
“It was cold (in Syracuse), for sure, but we didn’t play there at the beginning of the season,” the Columbus East graduate said. “We got to play there mostly when it was warmer. I thought it was fun being able to travel and get the whole experience. (Syracuse) feels like Indiana because it is upstate, so it doesn’t feel like the city. It kind of feels like home.”
The Orange practiced inside the JMA Dome the entire fall and winter. Then, they had only one practice outside in the entire spring.
“That was kind of hard, actually, not being able to be on the actual field and feel the dirt and everything,” Foster said. “But we did what we could with it, and we finished really strong overall.”
Columbus East graduate and Syracuse freshman Kenzie Foster waits for a pitch at the plate.
Photo courtesy of Syracuse University Athletic Communications
Foster started 44 games and played in 48 of Syracuse’s 51 contests this spring. The second baseman finished third on team with a .294 batting average and .396 on-base percentage. She had one home run and five RBIs and was third on he team with five steals and fourth with 23 runs scored.
“I thought I finished well overall,” Foster said. “My defense was really strong, and on the hitting side, I think for a freshman, I had a pretty strong year.”
Batting leadoff the first half of the season, Foster was second on the team with 19 walks. She moved down lower in the order later in the season and led the squad with four sacrifice bunts.
“It was beneficial to move me around because I bunt and I just get on base, which is kind of why I was at the bottom at the end of the year,” Foster said. “Coach knew that’s what I was good at that, so people could score behind me after that.”
Kenzie Foster
Syracuse finished 28-23 this season, including 9-15 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Orange lose four seniors to graduation, but have eight freshmen coming in.
“I’m super excited to be a sophomore and have some more experience,” said Foster, who changed her major from speech pathology to public relations. “Hopefully, I can have another good year.”
