Seymour senior pitcher has played major role in program

March 15, 2019

Rachel Kaufman grew up playing softball in Seymour, so she jumped at the chance to play her favorite sport in high school.

“I like softball because I’ve played it for so many years,” Kaufman said. “I learned to love the game, and I’ve been able to play with my friends.”

Kaufman has been a pitcher her entire career.

“Ever since I was little I’ve been a pitcher,” Kaufman said. “I throw a fastball, change up, rise ball, curve ball, screwball and drop ball. It just depends on what’s working that day and what I feel most comfortable with. Sometimes it’s different each day. Typically, I throw a curve ball a lot.”

She said her pitch also depends on where she is in the batting order.

“It is very important to get ahead in the count,” Kaufman said. “Once you get ahead in the count, then you can throw which pitch you want to later. You don’t have to come back with a fastball. If you’re down 3-0 they know that is the pitch that is coming.”

Another facet Kaufman focuses on is her location.

“You want to stay below or above the waist, nothing in between, nothing at the waist. I do both, pitch inside and outside,” Kaufman said.

The senior threw a perfect game against Brownstown Central in 2016. Kaufman said that ranks among her career highlights along with her sophomore year, on senior night, against Columbus East when she had two home runs, and beating Floyd Central in the sectional last year.

Kaufman played travel ball with the Seymour Tsunami, beginning at age 8. She then played with a team from Mooresville, and this will be her third season playing with Indiana Dreams from Columbus.

She said that has been a valuable experience as far as helping her become a better high school player.

“That experience was tremendous,” Kaufman said. “I get to compete with great competition and it helped me develop and be a leader and help the other kids.”

Last spring, Kaufman batted in one of the top three positions throughout.

“I just hit so I tried to lead off the game and get the momentum going and get a base hit,” Kaufman said.

When Kaufman’s not on the mound, you may see her at third base.

“It depends on where he (Coach Jerry Burton) needs somebody,” Kaufman said. “You have to have quick reaction and if slappers are up or something you want to watch their hands.”

She looks forward to serving as a team captain this spring.

“I have to hold everybody accountable for everything they’re doing as I expect them to do for me as well,” Kaufman said.

Kaufman has high goals for this season.

“Our goal is to still win the sectional,” Kaufman said. “We’ve been to the championship the past two years. This year we really want to win. We just need to have better at bats against the better pitchers, not necessarily everybody get a hit, but just have productive at bats.”

[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Kaufman file” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

Name: Rachel Kaufman

High school: Seymour

Parents: Jeff and Sandy Kaufman

Siblings: Hannah

Sports: softball 4 years

Athletic highlights: HHC all-conference 3 years, second team All-State 1 year, MVP 3 years

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