Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Coach brags about humble team leader
Kenzi Pedersen is a starting pitcher for the Vikings softball.
GARFIELD — Kenzi Pedersen is humble about her achievements as a Vikings pitcher in softball, but her efforts got her noticed with a statewide honor.
“She’s a humble person and doesn’t like to talk about it,” said her mother and coach, Rochelle Pedersen.
Pedersen is a Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) Athlete of the Week for April 7-13.
She was noticed for pitching 10 strikeouts and only allowing a single hit in the Vikings’ season opener versus Sunnyside-Christian. On offense, she went 8 of 9 at bat with a homerun and 17 RBIs.
“She was knocking in two at bat. I’ve never seen anything like that,” said Rochelle Pedersen.
Kenzi Pedersen is a team leader and been playing ball since she was 5 years old in T-ball to varsity fast-pitch softball in the District 9 Southeast 1B league. She the starting pitches for softball and sometimes plays first base and shortstop.
“I’ve been throwing balls at her since she could sit up,” mom said with a chuckle.
This is her twelfth season playing and she’s only a junior.
She was one of four eighth-graders moved to a high school team and named an All League player.
“You will probably see her name in other sports as well,” said Rochelle Pedersen. “She’s been an All League (player) in other sports too.”
Kenzi Pedersen plays volleyball and basketball.
“Her dream is to play basketball at the (University of Idaho),” Rochelle Pedersen said. Her mom attended U of I. “I am a Vandal.”
When not playing sports, Kenzi Pedersen takes part in FFA, holds a 4.0 GPA, volunteers to help raise funds for the Viking Crew booster club, and stacks wood and shovels snow for elderly people in the area.
Bill Stevenson is the former editor of the Whitman County Gazette, Colfax Daily Bulletin and Franklin Connection. He has nearly 30 years of journalism experience covering news in Eastern Washington.
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