The crowd was quiet as freshman Faith Cabuyaban was at home plate against St. Joe, the sound of the smack of the ball echoed across the field as the pitcher repeatedly hits the ball into her golve as she gets ready to pitch. She pitches, the ball smacks the bat, the crowd buzzes with excitement, the smell of the dust flying through the air as she runs to first base. The sweat running down her face as the ball is still in the outfield with another point on the board for Liberty 11-2 against St. Joe
“I was excited when I found out I made varsity. I tried not to show too much emotion because my sister also made varsity as a freshman, but hearing it was such a relief and reassurance,” Cabuyaban said.
Cabuyaban has already earned a spot on the varsity softball team. She is following in her siblings’ footsteps. Her brother played baseball when he was in high school and made the varsity baseball team as a freshman, and her older sister who also played on the varsity softball as a freshman too.
“It takes up a lot of time, so I have a set routine. I try to get homework done in the mornings or during free time at school. After games, I do homework while eating dinner. It’s definitely a lot, but I make it work,” Cabuyaban said.
Balancing school and softball is no small task but Cabuyaban has found out what she needs to do to get all of her work done on time and still have time for softball. Between the late night studies and practice, she manages to keep her grades up and her game strong on the field. Her ability to handle both sides of her life proves just how dedicated she is to the things she does in her life.
“Since her sister played with us before, we already knew of Faith and she fit in right away. She is very similar but very different in her own ways. Faith is definitely louder and more outgoing,” junior Addison Dorsey said.
She has definitely made her own impact on the team as her own person. While her sister was quieter. Cabuyaban is known for being loud and bringing out good strong energy in the dugout. Her confidence makes her stand out as a player and fit in with her teammates. Yet her performance shows she is more than just her sister’s shadow. Her personality and skills make her a player the team can rely on.
“On the field, she is very motivated and hardworking. Off the field, she’s the same; she stays focused and keeps her grades up,” freshman Lucy Reliford said.
Her drive isn’t something that only shows up while she practices or has a game; it is a part of who she is every day. Whether that is inside her classes or out on the field, she carries the same focus and determination with her. The steady work ethic mirrors the reputation her siblings live behind, but she added her own style to it. Her ability to stay motivated in every area of her life proves why she is thriving as a freshman on varsity.
“I hope to grow from freshman to senior year by building strong relationships with my teammates, just like the seniors do now. I want to be someone who makes the underclassmen feel comfortable when I’m an upperclassman,” Cabuyaban said.
She has made such an impact already just being a freshman on varsity, this is only the beginning for her. She is already looking ahead; she knows that being a part of varsity is not just about the sport, it is about the relationships you build along the way. Her being an underclassman, she gets to watch the seniors and how their leadership brings the team together. She hopes to offer the same support and guidance when she is an upperclassman.
“My brother chose baseball, which influenced my sister to do softball, and then me. I think we all love how mentally challenging the sport is, and growing up around it made me want to play too,” Cabuyaban said.
Watching her siblings play inspired her to take softball seriously at the age of seven. Her brother continued with baseball after high school by playing baseball at Northwest Missouri State University and Her sister also continued to play softball after high school at the University of Tulsa.
