Katie Burke is taking Westhampton Beach varsity softball by storm. The sophomore posted .478 batting average with four home runs to end the regular season, earning herself four new awards and adding to her impressive resume.
KATIE’S IMPACT
For the first time in 28 years, the varsity softball team walked away as League Champions. A team that four years ago would have had a losing record. It all started to look up in 2022 when eighth grader Katie Burke stepped on the field for the first time as a Hurricane. Although at the time she wasn’t a regular starter, she made it big quick and has not looked back since.
Katie started turning heads with her incredible power. From the offensive side no pitcher in Suffolk wants to meet here at the plate because it doesn’t take much for Katie to get that ball out of the park. Her incredible power coupled with her ability to hit the ball where players are not is what makes her an elite hitter.
Winning Double A and League Player of the year is a huge accomplishment for a sophomore, Captain Rylee McGinness said, “Katie’s bat really helped us out this year. She was always the girl we could count on to get a hit or start a rally and she’s been that person since we were in little league. She’s so dedicated to the sport and is always trying to make herself better for the team.”
The Hurricanes won nine games scoring 10+ points largely because Katie would get two to three hits each game. Not only was Katie outstanding on the offensive side of the ball this year but her defense was even more incredible. She covered any and every bunt that was even close to her with super sharp reflexes at third base.
HER APPROACH
Every great hitter has a great approach. Katie gets into the box and focuses mainly on what she is going to do to make contact. Hard contact, hard hit, good things happen. When it comes to how she prepared for the season and how she is able to hit the ball well Katie said, “I think a lot of practice, good coaches and not too much overthinking.”
Katie piled on some pretty hefty hardware this year taking home All-County, All-State, AA Field Player of the Year, and League V Field Player of the year. Safe to say the future of Hurricane Softball is bright and Katie Burke is leading the way.
