Athlete of the Week: Keira Bullion, Lake Buena Vista softball

At the core of Lake Buena Vista High softball team’s 13-9 record (at time of publication) and district tournament run has been freshman player Keira Bullion. 

The third and first baseman as well as centerfielder has knocked it out of the park four times this season. She leads the Vipers in home runs and leads with her 0.618 batting average and 0.639 on-base percentage. In the Vipers’ 25-0 win over Edgewater, Bullion was perfect on 2-for-2 and recorded one home run and two RBIs. 

What do you enjoy most about softball? 

I enjoy the friendships I make along the way and being with my teammates every practice and game.

When did you start softball and why did you join? 

I started softball when I was 10, I joined with my friend because she asked me to and it looked fun.

What is your biggest accomplishment in softball?

My biggest accomplishment in softball was probably when I hit my first home run, a grand slam, as part of a cycle in one of my high school games.

What has softball taught you? 

Softball has taught me that mistakes are part of life and it’s all a path to success.

How would you describe yourself as a teammate?

I am reliable, respectful and focused on team goals. I make sure my work is done, but I also check in with my teammates so we succeed together.

What advice would you give someone who just joined softball? 

Never give up. There are going to be times when you feel down on yourself when you think you aren’t as good as the other’s but I promise you, you will be there someday.

If you were a coach, what speech would you give the team?

You have five seconds. Five seconds to get out of your head and be ready for the next play. Five seconds to be down on yourself. Five seconds to sit on the bench after a strikeout before you need to be on the fence cheering on your team. Only five seconds — never longer.

What is your pre-game ritual?

My pre-game ritual consists of listening to music so I can get locked in and ready for the game, then throwing with my partner and hitting off the tee.

If you could pick a different sport what would it be? Why? 

I would probably pick flag football because I like football, throwing the football and it looks really fun.

What is something new you’d like to learn?

Something new I would like to learn is how to play another instrument.

Where would you want to live if you weren’t in Florida?

I would like to live in Texas because I have so many family members and it is also a really cool place to live.

If you won the lottery what would you do with the money? 

If I won the lottery I would take care of my family, spend it on softball things and also buy a lake house.

What future career do you want to have? 

I would like to be a doctor in the future, neurology is one of my top choices.

If you had to pick a spirit animal, which would you choose?

Probably a lion. They are confident, courageous and powerful, which I feel describes me pretty well.

What is your perfect day? 

My perfect day would be going on the boat or in the pool with my favorite people, then practicing softball and then ending the day with going out to dinner with my family.

Why did you choose your jersey number?

My original jersey number was 28 because that is my birthday, but in high school, it is 42 because I was given it by my coach as he said it was Jackie Robinson’s number and it is very significant.