Houston high school softball standout to continue career at USM
HOUSTON, Miss. (BVM) — Since her freshman year, Paige Kilgore has suited up for Houston High School softball. In 2020, Kilgore’s hard work and dedication to the sport paid off. She became the first-ever Houston Hilltopper to be awarded the Gatorade Mississippi Softball Player of the Year and has committed to Southern Mississippi.
“Honestly, for my whole life basically, since I was six years old, it’s been my whole life,” Kilgore said. “It doesn’t come before God or my family, but I mean, it’s what I live and breathe, it’s taught me many life lessons, and I’m thankful for it.”
Standing at 5-foot-10, Kilgore was also named the best player in Mississippi by MaxPreps before her junior season started. Without a doubt, she lived up to the hype. Kilgore helped propel the Hilltoppers to an 11-0-1 start before their season was shut down due to the pandemic.
“We were on a great track as a team,” Kilgore said. “It [last season] felt great, and I’m excited for this year, [and for] what this year brings. Hopefully, we can pick up right where we left off.”
Before the season was shut down, Kilgore had a 7-0 record as a starting pitcher, with a 0.43 ERA. During those 12 games, Kilgore also struck out 94 batters in 49 innings of work. Not only was Kilgore a force from the circle, but she was also a feared batter as she had a batting average of .457 and a slugging percentage of .886.
“Paige is an extremely hard worker and has impeccable command of her pitches,” said her summer ball coach Dale Palmer in a Gatorade press release. “She is also a very strong and durable player. She seems to get better every inning, and her power gives her tremendous pop at the plate.”
Along with her hard work on the diamond, Kilgore has also put in the time off the field. Maintaining a 4.12 GPA, Kilgore is at the top of her game when it comes to academics. She also has dedicated her time to coaching youth softball and has done a multitude of volunteer work.
Working hard on and off the field led Kilgore to receive offers from many schools, but one college stood out among the rest: the University of Southern Mississippi.
“I really fell in love with Southern [during] my ninth grade year [when] I started going to camp there,” Kilgore said. “The atmosphere, that family feeling of the campus, it’s just something I want to be a part of. I love the city of Hattiesburg. I can’t wait to be down there.”
So excited to announce that I have committed to continue my athletic and academic career at The University Of Southern Mississippi. Thank you to everyone who has made this possible. I’m so blessed to have this opportunity and can’t wait to be an eagle #SMTTT💛🖤 @SouthernMissSB pic.twitter.com/MWNIy14SxY
— Paige Kilgore (@PaigeKilgore) August 4, 2020
Kilgore is set to join a program that has gone 52-32 overall in the past three seasons (8-2 currently). The Golden Eagles softball team is led by head coach Brian Levin who was hired in 2019. He has turned around the program after the team finished with an overall record of 19-36 in 2018.
Second signee ✅
⚫️ 2020 Mississippi Player of the Year
⚫️2020 Max Preps “Best Player In Mississippi”
⚫️2019 Clarion Ledger All-State TeamWelcome to Golden Eagle Nation, @PaigeKilgore
SMTTT 🦅 #NationalSigningDay pic.twitter.com/Se1cxN7C7j
— Southern Miss Softball (@SouthernMissSB) November 11, 2020
Kilgore will look to help the Golden Eagles continue their recent success when she reaches campus this fall. But for now, she’ll remain in the place that has always had a special place in her heart: Houston, Miss.
“It’s the school I’ve gone to since I was in kindergarten,” Kilgore said. “[Being able to] represent my home town is good. It’s exciting!”
Huge Congrats, @PaigeKilgore, on signing with @SouthernMiss! #TopperPride pic.twitter.com/faYqdCuhLs
— Houston Hilltoppers (@houstontoppers) November 13, 2020
