Senior Katie Kine wants to lead Mead back to state

Katie Kine has the “Wright Stuff.” A four-year softball star at Mead, mainly at shortstop, she will play next year at Wright State, a Horizon League school in Ohio that last year reached the Division I NCAA regional tournament, playing against Northwestern and Notre Dame.

But before she’s through with high school, she’d like to help get the Panthers back to state in Tacoma, a tournament she experienced as a freshman.

The challenge for Kine and Mead is a Greater Spokane League softball minefield that includes defending state champion and favorite Shadle Park, two other regional veteran teams, not to mention State 3A placer North Central.

Kine is one of seven returning starters from last year’s Panthers regional qualifier. She’s come to appreciate what she experienced four years ago, which is the reason why she’d like to return again as a senior.

“Going to state was the best ever. It was my best year in high school,” Kine said. “It was really good competition playing with older girls. It helped my own game and inspired me to challenge myself more.”

It didn’t take Panthers coach John Barrington long to realize what he had when Kine arrived in 2005. He remembers the first day of tryouts when the girls were taking cuts in the gymnasium.

“I had all the baseball guys stop and watch her swing,” he said. “She was so impressive.”

She made an instant impact, first as a second baseman and later trading off at shortstop. She’s been an All-GSL first-team infielder the past two seasons and Barrington said she’s in the top tier of every school statistical record category, whether for career or single season.

Kine said softball has always been the sport of choice. Her dad, Scott, was a baseball player here locally in high school and college, she said. She played other sports in elementary and middle school, “but there was nothing like softball for me. I was never bored.”

Daughter and dad played Wiffle ball in the street while she was growing up. She said he built a batting cage and has dedicated his time to helping her improve.

Kine began playing select ball in the Crash program by age 12, playing shortstop immediately. Since her sophomore year she’s played with the U-18 Spokane Sliders, traveling the country in search of a game.

“Every competition you face makes you better, even if you win or lose,” Kine said. “It really opens your eyes to, ‘Wow! I could play so much better.’ It opened up a lot of doors – there would be no Wright State if we had not gone to Florida.’

There were two reasons she chose the university, Kine said. First, she really liked the coach.

“I told my dad he reminded me of Barrington, intense but approachable. He wants to win, but has compassion,” said Kine.

Second, she was promised a chance to play shortstop.

“That is her natural position and where she desires to play the most,” said Barrington.

It will be tough to imagine life without Kine in the program, he continued.

“Katie’s a kid you love to coach and hate to see leave,” Barrington said. “She’s a great model for all the young kids. She’s willing to be a leader and a teammate. She’s knowledgeable but looking to improve. She wants extra cuts and ground balls.”

Kine said she has a developed a better understanding of the game and has learned its little nuances. Playing regionals last year has only made her want to help Mead get back to state more.

“I want to go out with a bang,” she said. “We worked really hard last year. You won’t believe how much improvement there was.”