EA senior uses grit on field, not afraid of ball

Carson Barnett doesn’t mind getting some red dirt on her jersey.

The Escambia Academy senior first baseman can often be seen diving for line drives, reaching out for a throw from third and reaching high for a throw for an out at her position.

Barnett started playing softball when she was 8 years old in the Atmore league. She started all year last season for the Lady Cougars, and has played at first base while on the field.

“I like the position mostly because I’m left handed, and I have an advantage sometimes,” she said. “I like kind of having to dive for the ball on bad throws.”

Barnett’s mom, Denean, played softball in high school and in the adult league, and the senior said she gets her love of wanting the softball from her parent.

“I watched my mom play,” Barnett said. “She played first (base), too. I get it from there honestly.”

While her infield work is improving each game, Barnett said she’s hitting the ball well.

“I felt like this year I’ve had a good hitting streak,” she said. “I feel like I am in a groove.”

Barnett said the key to her hitting is making sure the ball goes to the opposite side of the field.

“I have to try not to pull the ball down the first base line,” she said. “It’s mostly about hitting the opposite field.”

On the season so far, Barnett said she thinks it’s gone well.

“We haven’t had too many good seasons lately,” she said. “We finally have a coach (Cale Thompson) who cares about us. We finally have somebody who not only cares about winning, but about the team. I don’t have anything against the other coach.”

Barnett said EA wants to win the majority of its area games, which started this week, and to hit another home run.

Barnett is the daughter of Wayne and Denean Barnett of Atmore.