WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - She may secretly be a gamer off the field, but that competitive nature, grit and dedication cross over into life on the field for junior catcher/utility Kaylah Hampton. She loves the feeling of blocking the plate, especially with a runner on third, and of getting a clutch hit for the team, both of which she has done a lot first two seasons at Purdue.
"Kaylah has worked really hard this fall both offensively and defensively," head coach Boo De Oliveira said. "Her bat has become quite powerful. Look to see her compete behind the plate. She has very quick feet, blocks the ball well, and has a very good understanding of the strike zone for framing. Kaylah is someone who does not talk all of the time, but when she does ââ'¬" everyone listens. She is insightful and a true leader."
A career .259 hitter with 11 doubles, 10 home runs and 40 RBI, Hampton has provided for the team at the plate, including 10 game winning RBI. Defensively, she has been a stalwart behind the plate, posting a .983 fielding percentage, while throwing out 22 potential base stealers.
In 2016, Hampton turned in a .244 average, eight RBI and two home runs, while also drawing 10 walks and posting four perfect days at the plate. Defensively, she made good on 98 percent of her chances and threw out 10 base runners.
Loyal, hardworking and goal-oriented, she calls her game compassionate and can't wait to play Arizona State, just down the road from her home in Goodyear, Arizona. She would like to have dinner with FDR and dreams of being a school superintendent.
With a plethora of great role models in her life, including her mother, whom she looks up to most as the strongest woman she knows and her great grandma who has made her who she is, it is no surprise that Kaylah Hampton is up for whatever life, and the game of softball, brings her.
Fun Facts
Sweet or salty: Sweet
Chocolate or vanilla: Vanilla
Dogs or cats: Cats
Cooking or eating: Eating.
Vacation: To the quiet country or to the big city: To the quiet country.
Coolest place I've ever been/or most unique locale: Havana, Cuba
Place I dream of visiting someday:Greece.
Person I look up to most & why:My mom. She is the strongest woman I know.
Best feeling in the field (defensively): I love blocking, especially with a runner on third.
Best Feeling at the plate (offensively): Getting a clutch hit for my team.
Favorite thing about my position:Blocking or throwing someone out.
Three words that describe me: Loyal, Hardworking, Goal-Oriented
One word to describe my game: Passionate
Team I am most excited to play in 2017: Arizona State
My most memorable sports moment:Hitting my first home run
Celebrity crush: Justin Bieber
Celebrity who would play me in a story of my life: Sanaa Lathan
Person I would like to have dinner with:FDR
Best non-athletic talent: I'm secretly a gamer
My stupid human trick is: I can do this thing with my eyebrows
Dream job: Superintendent
Song I have to listen to before a game:Ambition by Wale
Favorite thing about playing at Boilermaker Softball Stadium (now Bittinger Stadium):It is a second home.
My favorite place to play in the Big Ten, besides home:Illinois
Place I am most excited to play in 2017:Hawaii
Person who has impacted my life/made me who I am: My great grandma
Favorite things
Favorite sweet treat:Twizzlers
Favorite ice cream flavor: Bubble gum
Favorite holiday: Halloween
Favorite sport besides softball: Pool
Favorite sports team: New York Yankees
Favorite Athlete: Carlos Beltran
Favorite TV show: The Office
Favorite Movie: Bridge of Spies
Favorite Book: The Great Gatsby
Favorite Musical Artist: Drake
Favorite type of pizza: I hate pizza.
Favorite Actress: Amy Poehler
Favorite Food: Cheesy Eggs
Favorite place on campus: The grass outside of Heavilon
Favorite city: San Diego
Favorite outdoor activity: Walking
Favorite class at Purdue: ENGL 492, Composition for English Teachers
Favorite Purdue professor: Christian Knoeller