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Saturday, March 1, 2008
Softball Ties
Central Kansas, KS
By: Allison Daze
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Photo(s) By: Kyle Danztler/MyActionPortraits.com
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Distant cousins Nikki and Katie Armagost met on the softball field at 11 years old and have been playing together and excelling ever since
Outside, snow blows. Inside, balls fly. Stepping into the Mustang Softball indoor practice facility in northwest Wichita is a little like taking the lid off a grimy shoe box only to reveal an immaculate interior filled with magnificent gems – some of the best softball talent the area has to offer. From the exterior, no one would ever suspect that inside the unremarkable metal walls, remarkably dedicated athletes work to perfect their skills. Two of the notables are third cousins, Nikki Armagost and Katie Armagost, both of whom enter their junior seasons this spring, Nikki at Andover Central and Katie at Bishop Carroll.
Between the smacks of bat on ball, ball on glove, strains of country music float about, giving away the relaxed nature of this particular voluntary practice. However, don’t assume fun and games, these girls are focused. Minimal chit-chat ensues as they shag balls on the full-sized field.
At the plate, Nikki displays her ever-present smile while positioning her feet and situating the bat. Greeting the pitch with ready swing, she sends the ball soaring into the net above the fence: homerun.
Across the room in the pitching cage, Katie tosses her red pony tail, sets her jaw and begins to throw pitch after pitch in focused repetition. Circling arm, speeding ball, thumping glove.
For Katie and Nikki Armagost, softball has been a longtime pursuit. Katie started playing for the Maize recreational league at age 8; Nikki grew up at the ball fields from infancy. Despite their family tie (their fathers, Dave Armagost and Steve Armagost, are cousins), the girls had never met before playing together on a youth team at Two Rivers Youth Club coached by Katie’s dad the summer they were 11 years old. They have been teammates every summer since.
As cousins, teammates, and friends, Katie and Nikki share countless experiences. Through their years with the Mustangs, they have gone on numerous tournament trips. Though they admit traveling can be taxing, Nikki explains, shooting Katie a meaningful glance: “I love the trips. They’re always so full of memories.”
One of those memories was made last year at nationals on the last day of play. “We kept trading off pitching all day long…it was crazy,” they remark with grins, remembering the excitement of day full of softball.
However, they do not always play for the same team. Distance separates them during the spring high school season. Both girls are juniors, but attend different schools. At Carroll, Katie and her teammates will try to return to the Class 5A state championship game where they narrowly lost the Arkansas City 1-0 last May. At Andover Central, Nikki and the Jaguars hope to return the Class 4A state tournament, where they gave eventual state champion Thomas More Prep their closest game at state, a 1-0 loss in extra innings. The Armagosts compete in different leagues, so they have yet to face each other from opposing sides of the diamond.
As year-round players, both girls dedicate much time to the sport. Between pitching lessons, batting lessons and other practices, the cousins devote up to four nights a week to softball for 10 months out of a year; Christmas break and the end of the summer club season offer their only vacation time. But Nikki and Katie don’t seem to mind. In fact, they couldn’t be happier. “We love it” is their reply to any question concerning the drawbacks of competitive softball.
Their families seem to enjoy it as well. Despite lots of driving and busy schedules, Katie’s parents do their best to make it to every game. “We enjoy the competition,” her dad, Dave, admits. Likewise for the Andover Armagosts, softball is a family affair. In fact, Nikki’s parents met while playing on a coed team together. They’re pleased that Nikki is carrying on the tradition.
Though their families are supportive and offer great encouragement, both fathers made it clear that the drive and motivation for playing softball comes from the girls alone. Katie’s parents have let her make her own choices concerning what she wants to do. Nikki’s father agreed saying, “It’s never been something I’ve had to prod her about….she loves playing.”
Their incredible passion for the sport has paid off big time for both girls. Katie, who has focused on pitching, was named a first-team all-state pitcher in 2007 with a record of 11-3 with 2 saves, 97 strikeouts and ERA of 0.644.
Coach Jennifer Unrein of Bishop Carroll describes Katie’s attitude: “She has a really great work ethic in every practice.” Last year at the beginning of the season Katie suffered from a shoulder injury. Unable to pitch, she was still active and involved in every practice so that when she was cleared only a week before their first game, Katie was ready to go.
Nikki has seen her share of success as well. Although she is a two-time, first-team all-state pitcher, she excels anywhere on the field with a .987 fielding percentage, .324 batting average, and phenomenal 0.16 ERA. Andover Central coach Rita Frakes definitely appreciates Nikki’s all-over proficiency, praising her selfless attitude saying that “she does what she needs to” without complaining.
Last year Andover Central played a doubleheader against rival Augusta. On that day Nikki pitched a total of 21 innings, 13 in a single game. Frakes was amazed by Nikki’s determination and unconquerable spirit that helped them win the game 1-0 in six extra innings. “She just kept getting better and stronger.”
Mark Griggs, coach of the Mustangs, referred to the Armagost girls as “special athletes… who have something you just can’t teach.” They know how to have fun, but also when to step up. Griggs points out the difference in their personalities: Nikki is always smiling under pressure, while Katie stares down the opponent with focused intensity. Despite their different approaches, they both have a fire in their belly, a passion to win.
Beyond any of their athletic accomplishments, Griggs commends: “They’re great kids. They’re just outstanding kids.” As NCAA Division I college prospects, these girls could be egotistical and hard to get along with, but they’re not. In fact, according to her coach, Nikki is humble to the point of responding to compliments with a sheepish smile and embarrassed shrug. Katie possesses a quiet confidence.
As these outstanding cousins look forward to the upcoming spring season and beyond to college, they are in for exciting times reaping the benefits of hard work and love of the game.
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