New Richmond – Most players won’t hit six home runs in their career.
Paige Laxton has done it in a matter of two weeks.
Over the first eight games of the season the senior catcher and Glenville State signee has scorched the ball, notching 16 hits and driving in 21 RBIs. Twelve of those hits have been for extra bases – six home runs and six doubles.
For her efforts, Laxton has been named the Week 1 Softball Player of the Week by the Lootpress sports writers. The award is sponsored by Bodyworks and The Law Offices of Brandon Steele.
Beckley’s Aubrey Smallwood was the winner of the fan poll.
Putting the ball in play is nothing new for Laxton, one of the program’s top hitters since her freshman season. But this year she’s taken her game to a new level.
“I’ve really been able to gain confidence in the box,” Laxton said. “Really I’m just focused on getting base hits and getting girls around the bases.”
Laxton has been efficient at just that, getting her teammates across home plate 15 times and making her trek around the bases easier with six long balls.
Her peak performance during the early-season stretch came on March 25 at Gilmer County. Getting used to the town (Glenville) where she’ll be playing her college ball, Laxton launched three home runs in a doubleheader against the Titans, acclimating herself well to the place she’ll call home in the fall.
In the meantime her success has been a reflection of what the Lady Warriors have been able to do as a team, with their total home run tally at 15 just 10 games into the season. The goal for Laxton coming into the season wasn’t to clear the fence at the rate she has, but it’s come with the adjustments she focused on this past offseason.
“I feel like I’ve really focused on teamwork over the offseason and just working on driving my hands through the ball. That played a big role in what I’m doing now.”
Laxton will be honored at the Lootpress Spring Sports Banquet on Saturday, May 28 at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center.
Email: tylerjackson@lootpress.com and follow on Twitter @tjack94
2022 Softball Player of the Week winners
Week 1: Paige Laxton, Wyoming East
