CHEYENNE EGGENS

SOFTBALL POSITION PLAYER — MATHEWS

Believe it or not, Mathews ace Cheyenne Eggens didn’t start pitching until she was 11. She claims she wasn’t very good. Opponents who faced her over the past four seasons probably are skeptical.

“I used to pick flowers in the outfield,” Eggens said of her early years playing softball. “I fell in love with [pitching]. But back then, I was terrible.”

By the time she was 15, Eggens was excellent on the mound, helping the Mustangs advance to the Division IV state championship game in Akron, falling to Convoy Crestview, 6-2.

“I was just happy to be playing on the varsity,” said Eggens, calling the state experience “incredible. There were teams who went home so long ago and you’re still in it. It was amazing.”

Her pitching skills continued to improve, earning her a scholarship to the University of South Florida. She’s already taking summer classes.

During her visit to the Tampa school, South Florida head coach Ken Eriksen invited her to stand on the mound after watching his team play.

“He asked me ‘how does it feel?’ and I said, ‘it feels pretty good,’” Eggens said. “It’s sounds like a cliche, really cheesy, but it felt like I was supposed to be there. It just felt perfect”

This season, the Mustangs advanced to their third regional championship game in her four varsity seasons, just missing a return to state with a 4-3 loss to Cuyahoga Heights.

In junior high, she also played volleyball and basketball. She gave up the latter sport after her junior season.

“I could tell my heart really wasn’t in to basketball,” Eggens said. “When I played softball, I looked forward to practice, I could be there all day.”

Eggens credits opponents for making her better.

“[Windham’s] Brittany Knight was definitely a challenge, an amazing hitter and pitcher,” Eggens said. “[Canfield shortstop] Rachel Tinkey is another phenomenal hitter. It’s fun to compete against [talented] people.”