Lady Spartan pitcher an anchor of faith
A team cannot succeed without an anchor. You know, someone who brings experience, leadership and even coaching ability to the field or court.
In the sometimes, or even frequent, choppy waters of prep softball, Emporia High School is securely anchored by senior Alivia Barrett.
"She's been kind of the heart and soul for us," said Emporia coach Tommy McClure. "One of the hardest working pitchers I've worked with. They don't come around that often. It's one of those things that's going to get hard at the end of the season when she's out the door and the last game. I've been blessed to coach her for these couple years."
Barrett has assumed the role of field manager, assuring that effort is continually forthcoming, the reinforcement is positive and the vibe is chill.
"I get it, some games are hard, so it's making surethat I let my teammates know that no matter how tough the game gets, I'm going to give them everything I've got," Barrett said with purpose.
A positive mindset tethers her to the immediacy of game situations, knowing that she needs to be a model of consistency in the mental aspects of competition.
"I'm always going to have a positive attitude," Barrett emphatically remarked. "Even if we are losing really badly, a team is killing us, I am not going to be the first one to put my head down. I'm not going to be the one out there who is going to get on my team, because that is not my job. My job out there is to encourage everybody to stay up, help my team and fight through hard things."
She said her teammates have responded by reciprocating the attitude and commitment that Barrett exemplifies.
"You know, everybody makes mistakes, everybody gets down," Barrett said. "But it's when you have teammates who aren't going to push you down further, but pick you up and tell you, 'You've got this, you can do it,' and encourage you, it helps everybody bounce right back and not stay down or be hard on themselves."
The 12th-grade hurler's stats are an example of her commitment and importance to the squad.
She has thrown 34 innings in the Lady Spartans' 12 contests - Emporia is 7-5 - amassing 39 strikeouts and posting a 4.1 ERA.
Most impressive is the fact that Barrett achieved the 300-career strikeout milestone earlier this season and owned it with surprise and humility.
"That 300 felt really, really good," she exclaimed. "Actually, I didn't even know how close I was to it. When it happened, and everybody was kind of like, congrats and everything, I was like, 'What did I do?' I didn't even realize it, but it felt really, really great to be able to accomplish that. I feel like it showed how hard work and dedication can help you achieve some of those goals."
Barrett also showed love to her teammates, implying the milestone was a team effort.
"But it's also been helpful just having my team encourage me. To know that I'm able to pitch my best when my team shows that they've got my back. I couldn't do it without any of them."
She feels the 2026 version of the Spartans possesses the right stuff to make the state tournament; their work ethic not in short supply.
"I would say we're all feeling really good," she said. "Definitely been working a lot harder and trying some new things. I think that's played a really big role in how we've been playing. We've had some freshmen come up to help us. I think it's just having a positive environment and everybody working their butts off. We know we all have the same end goal, which is to get to state, and we need each other to make that happen."
Softball has been a way of life for the soon-to-be Emporia graduate, a constant companion that has helped her navigate the variables of life.
"I've played softball since I could walk, and it's always been there," Barrett said. "Life isn't always easy. It's definitely never been easy for me, school, home life, all of those things. But just like in my softball family, I do have a family that comes and supports me. We go through hard times, hard stuff happens. But knowing that God's got my back through everything...that reassurance that I am safe and secure even when times are hard."
For Barrett, it's about faith. That is the main ingredient in her recipe for achievement. She states without hesitation that she is a very devout Christian.
"I want to give glory to God. Being able to play softball is definitely a gift. And I want to use that gift to encourage people and bring them to God. So when I'm out there playing, one of the reasons I'm never going to be negative is because God's never been harsh on me for making mistakes. He's never one to turn his back on me. So why would I ever show that to any of my players?"
Barrett will bring her softball skill set to Iola next year. She has committed to play at Allen Community College.
"I signed to go play at Allen Community College," she said. "I'm going to go pitch there and play some second. I'm really looking forward to those next steps there as well."
McClure recognizes what Barrett can bring to a dugout and is enthusiastic about her opportunity to play at the next level.
"She rallies the troops and keeps them up and going…She's a true softball leader in almost every aspect of the game...I can't wait to see what she does in college.
In the meantime, Barrett will continue to be an anchor, while praising and leaning on God.
"I'm thankful because God gave me lungs to breathe. He gave me the talent to play the sport that I love. He gave me that love for the game. So I need to give back to him by honoring him through that."
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