Freedom’s Ward signs with CVCC for softball

For the second time in less than two months, a Freedom softball player has signed a letter of intent to play the sport at the college level.

Senior second baseman/outfielder Kadance Ward made her decision on Wednesday, signing to play at nearby Catawba Valley Community College following the conclusion of her high school career. She joins fellow Freedom 12th grader Daniell Robinson, a pitcher/third baseman who committed to Montreat College in September.

“The people seemed really great, it’s close to home, and I was really looking at community colleges because I’ll be able to transfer from a community college to a four-year school,” said Ward of choosing to join the Red Hawks, who finished 23-11 overall and 19-7 in National Junior College Athletic Association Region 10 play this past season under first-year coach Mickey Bolick.

Ward plans to major in turf and lawn management, and she has been playing softball “for as long as I can remember.” She named her mother as her biggest personal influence in the sport and stated that she began to think she could play at the next level a couple of years ago.

As a junior, Ward batted .278 with 15 hits, four of which went for extra bases (three doubles, triple). An All-Northwestern 3A/4A Conference honorable mention performer as well as an All-Burke County honorable mention selection, she had eight RBIs, scored 13 runs, and stole six bases, the latter of which was tied for first among Lady Patriots.

“I think Kadance is probably one of the grittiest kids that I’ve coached,” Freedom coach Connor Townsend said. “She’s gonna lay out, she’s gonna get dirty, you’re gonna have to scrub that jersey extra hard for her because she’s gonna do whatever she’s got to do just to make it happen for her team. Real selfless kid, good teammate.”

Townsend also pointed out that Ward “can pretty well play wherever you put her” on the field, which could come in handy at CVCC.

“Obviously the opportunity for her is great,” said Townsend. “She had a couple of places she was looking at and decided that program was gonna be a good fit for her. … She’s a sky’s the limit kind of kid, so she’s gonna keep working hard and get a lot better there too.”

Ward has enjoyed her time at Freedom thus far and is looking forward to her final prep season this spring, when she’s hoping to help the Lady Pats increase their win total for a third consecutive year. Freedom won four games during each of Ward’s first two seasons before capturing eight victories in 2024.

“I hope to improve all-around, and I’d like to really improve on hitting,” said Ward, who mentioned that one of her favorite memories with her teammates was when they played GellyBall in Black Mountain. “And as a team, I’d like for us to have a better season than in previous years.”

“I’ve got some good kids in the senior group that I’m really close to, and she’s no exception,” added Townsend of Ward. “I have a good relationship with her, and she’s just a kid that’s gonna continue to work hard. She’s gonna lead by example, she’s gonna come up with those big plays, she’s gonna hit it to the opposite field, just do all those little things for us that really end up being keys to our success.”