Alaina Allyn, a rising star pitcher at Mount Vernon, knows her inspiration in the circle

MOUNT VERNON, Ind. — The emotions were too much. The moment too soon despite what Alaina Allyn said to persuade herself.

She was pitching for her travel softball team in November 2022. One thing to know is Allyn handles her frustration by crying instead of anger. And she was getting frustrated. And the tears flowed. It led to a breakdown and removal mid-game.

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This was no normal outing. It was the first following her brother’s car accident. One day after his funeral.

“I didn’t have to but felt I had to for my teammates,” Allyn said on why she played that day. “It affected me a lot because I was around him all the time. I saw him every day.”

The sophomore at Mount Vernon High School is a competitor in the truest sense, one who plays with emotion ready to burst at the seams. It may not appear because of her steely demeanor. Trust, it’s there.

Those emotions are there every time she steps on the field. Allyn knows exactly for who and why she plays.

Mount Vernon always believes it has a chance with Allyn

Her story in most aspects is intertwined with family.

Allyn didn’t begin playing softball until third grade, a late start compared to others. She can thank her grandfather after he noted her arm strength tossing a tennis ball. A trip to Golf Plus rewarded Allyn with her first glove.

The rest of the journey has been an exponential rise. Allyn started travel ball in fourth grade, eventually joining the Illinois Force program in 12U. She struck out 40 batters in 41 2/3 innings as a freshman. ExtraInningSoftball, an online publication, rates her a top-20 pitcher in the Midwest in the Class of 2026.

“I am a pretty competitive person,” she said. “The youngest in my family. Always had that (fight). In my brain, I always want to win."

Allyn is the Wildcats’ No. 1 in the circle this spring. The sophomore used the opportunity to start making her name in the area. Allyn has a 2.08 earned run average through 12 games with 99 strikeouts in 67 1/3 innings. The heat on her fastball is evident, but her control is impressive with an a 6.19-to-1 strikeout to walk ratio.

Allyn is batting .316 with four doubles from the leadoff spot. She has five separate games of double-digit strikeouts including 17 against Washington. Only three extra-base hits allowed through a dozen games. Her first start this season? A no-hit shutout versus South Spencer.

“She’s a bulldog,” said Mount Vernon coach Hank Lopez. “That’s the best way I can describe it. She competes non-stop. It’s an energy to our team, because we always feel like we have a chance when she’s out there.”

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The next step is adjusting to opponents once scouting spreads and innings add up. Her last two starts saw 12 earned runs against Central and Southridge. Speaking after the former, Allyn noted a tired arm and leaving pitches up in the zone. Those can be rectified with experience.

She is already showing signs of being a top pitcher in a region known for softball.

“She is very even keeled and sometimes cracks a smile,” said Lopez. “Has a really good demeanor. It’s infectious and rubs off on everybody else.”

Allyn knows her inspiration each time in the circle

Zack Allyn passed away November 6, 2022 from injuries sustained in a car accident. He was 25.

Allyn was many things to many people. A devoted son and strong worker who returned to his family's farm after attending Western Kentucky University and Ivy Tech, the latter where he earned a degree in business administration. A husband and father who left behind a wife and twin boys. He was also the oldest of four siblings, the big brother to Alaina in every sense.

"When I think of him, I think of a big teddy bear," she says. "The best guy you can love."

There was an 11-year age gap between the oldest and youngest siblings but it mattered little. Allyn saw her older brother nearly every day on the family farm. There were the occasional lunches spent together, but he was always there if needed. A fan each time she played on the diamond.

It's likely why frustrations boiled beyond control in the November 2022 game. Coaches, teammates and even opponents drove hours and stood in line longer for the visitation. They were there to support the Allyn family regardless of the time required. It's why she wanted to pitch, despite every emotion swirling in her mind.

Allyn now thinks of her brother each time she pitches. She also thinks of her teammates and the game itself. Softball has already done and given her so much. There may never be enough to repay it on her end.

"My travel team supported me through everything," said Allyn.

Wildcats have strong start with first-year head coach

Lopez was given two tips when it comes to softball: the ball is bigger and thrown underhand.

This is his first year leading the Wildcats. He had experience coaching baseball including 14 years between Riverton Parke and North Vermillion. As an assistant athletics director at Mount Vernon, Lopez spent considerable time around the softball program and knew a good group was waiting for the next coach.

Nothing but positives through the first month. The Wildcats, ranked as high as No. 6 in the coaches’ poll, are 9-3 at the midway point. They’re proof of how deep and talented the Pocket Athletic Conference can be.

“A great group of kids,” said Lopez. “We know we have a solid team. We (also) know our conference is absolutely loaded. Two defending state champions. A lot of good softball. We’ll find out where we stand.”

A rising star in the circle, one who is only a sophomore, helps the cause. So does a large senior class including catcher Hannah West (.467 average, six home runs), infielder Cora Bell (.477 average, 13 RBIs) and outfielder Raycee Stallings (.486 average).

Mount Vernon will win several games with Allyn’s talent. It’s learning how to win when she doesn’t have her best and will soon determine its ceiling. Mount Vernon hosted Carmi on Monday. The rest of the week is a major test with games against Gibson Southern, Tecumseh and Heritage Hills.

The Wildcats believe their best can compete with the rest. Their best is Allyn. And her goal right now? Lift everyone up just like the sport has done for her.

“I don’t feel the pressure for me,” said Allyn. “(Success) is not just for me but everyone else on the team. I want to make my mark and help them make their mark.”

Follow Courier & Press sports reporter Kyle Sokeland on X (formerly Twitter) @kylesokeland.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: IHSAA softball: Alaina Allyn pitches for brother after car accident