Kenzie Fleming is tearing it up at Berry College as a junior; and it’s just the tip of the iceberg!
In her third year at Berry, Fleming is in the midst of a fantastic season, which has seen her hit .377 (23-for-61) with four homeruns and 14 RBI, including four doubles. This comes after her solid sophomore season for the Lady Vikings, when she hit .297 with two homers and 21 RBI to go with 10 doubles.
The former Habersham Central graduate played for the Lady Raiders under coach Stephanie Thomas, who didn’t hold back in her praise of Fleming during her time at Habersham. In fact, when asked whether she saw this success coming, Thomas left no doubt how she felt about her former catcher.
“Kenzie was an instrumental player here at [Habersham],” says Thomas. “She is one of the best leaders [and] players I have ever coached. One of her greatest assets is that she always puts her team first. Because she cares so much for her team, she uses this to drive her to be the very best player that she can be. I knew Kenzie would be a success at Berry and that she would be an asset to that program.”
Although her greatest assets may be the intangibles, she also has the physical gifts needed to excel in softball at the collegiate level. A rare trait for many college or high school catches is the ability to hit for contact. Fleming has just two strikeouts to her name in 2016 and a mere 12 in her college career.
“Kenzie Fleming is the kind of player you want your daughter to be like” -Habersham coach Stephanie Thomas
Not only is Fleming built to compete in softball at the next level, but also built to excel in the classroom.
“Kenzie was first and foremost a student-athlete that understood the time commitment of her academics as well as the commitment to her team and sport,” says Thomas. “She did very well academically and she understands that to be successful, she must make good grades. Kenzie’s academic success with her athletic success provided her with an opportunity to play at the collegiate level. When you combine this type of student-athlete with the characteristics of leader, dedication, hard work, and grit, they are going to be successful!”
Fleming isn’t the only former Lady Raider that has represented the program at Habersham Central. Girls like Abby Hulsey (’12), Jordin Ellingson (’12) and Kylie Stephens (’14) all played at some point at the collegiate level, while current players Bailey Sanders (’15; Truett-McConnell), Georgia Webb (’14; Young Harris), Brigette Taylor (’14; Augusta State) and Fleming (’13; Berry) are finding success at this level, just to name a few.
Many current Lady Raiders have these girls to look up to and are already garnering looks by state colleges and universities, as is rising-sophomore Paige Cook, who has many NCAA Division-I programs looking at her.
“Obviously, we want our athletes to have every opportunity to play at the collegiate level,” adds Thomas. “Kenzie’s success is a testament to her own hard work and dedication. We are very proud of what she accomplished while here at [Habersham], and even more proud of what she has done for Berry.”
The way that Fleming has carried herself while in high school and college has made an impact on her teammates, friends, family and coaches.
“Kenzie Fleming is the kind of player you want your daughter to be like,” says Thomas. “She possesses the characteristics every coach wants in a player as well as being a good role model.”
There is perhaps no better compliment than that.
