IT DIDN’T TAKE LONG FOR LOCAL SOFTBALL FANS TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE NAME CAMERYN HARRISON.
After stepping into state super-power Katy as a freshman, in which she would become the starting pitcher that ushered them to the 2021 Regional Semis, how could they not?
However, her journey began long before she became a star for both the Tigers and her club team, Impact Gold.
“I’ve been playing the game since I was about seven-years-old,” she said. “I grew up around it because of my Dad, who played baseball at LSU. He’s kind of kept me in it. I just fell in love with the game, the grind, and all the work I have to put in, in order to seethe results.”
Harrison getting“results” is an understatement.
After earning her second-consecutive District 19-6A MVP nod last Spring, Harrison became the No. 8 ranked player in the country for her class, prior to being named to the USA U-18 women’s national team in January.
Her widely-recognized dual-threat capabilities, as both a pitcher and batter, made it easy for the University of Arkansas to extend Harrison an offer – one which she would officially accept in October of 2023.
“I was looking for more of a ‘small town’ feel because that’s what I’ve grown up with,” said Harrison. “At Katy, we have that culture and tradition, which I love. When considering schools, I knew I wanted that same feeling, and Arkansas hit all those points for me.“
"Plus, their fan-base is super supportive. I really clicked with the coaches, and I know it sounds kind of cliché, but they made me feel welcome as soon as I stepped on campus.”
The Katy phenom can put up record stats like nobody’s business. However, her greatest asset is far less tangible.
“That would be my ability to lead, not only by example, but with the words I use to lift up my teammates as if they’re my own family,” she said. “I also feel that the way I carry myself on the field feeds into that. Since I am a two-way player, if I’m not able to do as well on the mound, I know I can make up for that by producing at the plate.”
Last Spring didn’t pan out quite as expected for the Tigers, falling 1-0 by a surprise Bellaire team in the UIL Area Round.
Understandably so, Harrison and her teammates have their ambitions set on re-establishing their reputation as one of the most feared teams in the state.
“Even throughout the off-season, I’ve seen the fire that’s been lit underneath us,” Harrison said. “We don’t want to go out like that again. On paper, we have the girls that we need to go where we should. So, going through that heart-break and all the emotions that come with it really has our minds focused for what’s to come this season.”
You heard it here first – “the fire has been lit”.
Stay tuned for the blaze that Harrison and Katy softball speak of as they charge for Austin and the State Tournament.