Two local high school softball players are raising money for a trip to Spain, where they’d represent the United States in international play while touring the country.
Senior Rylee Herr of Conant and junior Katalina Davis of Mascenic were both selected for the July 2023 trip by America’s Team, an organization that plans international sports trips for student-athletes, after playing in several travel softball showcases and showing both the interest to further their softball careers and the talent to do so.
Herr, a utility player/outfielder, and Davis, a pitcher/third baseman, are on either side of a high school rivalry, but the two are longtime teammates who play travel ball with the Voodoo out of Central Massachusetts.
“I have played with Rylee almost my entire life of playing softball,” Davis said.
“I can say she’s a heck of a player and would be a major asset to the team.”
Between their showcase tournaments there and their activity on college recruiting services, they both caught the attention of America’s Team. Both said the experience would be life-changing, as they’d be able to tour Spain, play softball, and learn from West Virginia Tech softball coach Amber Affholter.
“To be able to go with a college coach from a different state and a bunch of girls from around the country representing America – that would be cool,” Herr said. “I really want to play in college. That’s my one goal in my life, so I do anything I can to work towards that.”
Davis, too, hopes to get a leg up on her potential college athletics career.
“Yes, there are girls that go around the entire US playing softball in showcases to show their talent,” Davis said, “but when a coach hears that a girl got called into going to Spain to represent the US, I think that I would have a couple eyes on me.”
Aside from the softball, experiencing the people, food and culture of Spain is a big draw for both players. Davis, in particular, hopes to get overseas and play for the first time in person in front of her grandmother, who lives in Spain and has only seen her granddaughter play on video streams.
“Knowing that she will be able to watch and see how I really play as a athlete gives me the motivation,” Davis said. “She’s one of my biggest fans.”
Both are tasked with raising $500 immediately and $5,000 by July. To donate to Herr, visit www.gofundme.com/f/raising-money-to-help-me-go-to-spain-for-softball. To donate to Davis, visit https://webapp.acis.com/fundraising/landing_public/EQCQK2KK-PJ68-7MML-1U0VUWRTFWORVCQ8.