Prep Star: Kaleigh Gates

Sunnyside softball, basketball, cross country • junior • 5-8

● The lowdown: Gates has made a name for herself as one of Sunnyside's top hitters in her third year playing for the Blue Devils. The junior co-captain was carrying a .496 batting average and a powerful swing earlier this season when she suffered a nasty thumb injury. Now that she has recovered and is back on the roster, the Blue Devils have to be feeling an increased sense of confidence heading into the second half of the season. When this multi-sport athlete is not on the field, court or track, she is busy maintaining her 3.5 grade point average.

● Sports galore: It's no joke that Gates loves sports. In the fall, she runs cross country. During the winter, she plays center for the basketball team. But spring is the time for her favorite sport — softball.

● About that injury: Gates broke her thumb during a game against Canyon del Oro earlier this year when an inside pitch snapped her right hand. The break put her digit in a cast and forced her to warm the bench for about a month. Gates returned to the lineup Tuesday and said she wants to help her team improve its 12-12-1 record.

● Sunnyside pride: As one of her team's leaders, Gates is confident in her teammates' ability to take charge and stay united as a team. She said that makes her job as a team captain much easier. She said she tries to bring a lot of heart and energy to her teammates every time they enter the field.

● Playing for Palomarez: Gates said she enjoys playing softball under the instruction of Pete Palomarez. "He's fun. He's energetic. He's even funny when he gets mad," she said. "He's a good coach." But this is not the first time the two families have crossed paths. Her father, Chris, played baseball under Palomarez's brother, Ernie, during his high school years.

● Playing outfield: Gates played catcher for most of her life with various club teams, but was moved to center field in high school. She said that playing in the outfield is more complicated than it seems. "You've got to judge the ball right off the bat," she said. "If you think about it twice, you're gonna mess up — you're gonna miss it. You've got to think fast."

● Thanks to dad: She began playing softball when her father introduced her to the game when she was 8 years old. But softball wasn't the only sport her father introduced her to. He also convinced her to give cross country a try when she was in sixth grade.

● All for the kids: Gates said her favorite class at school is called Up With Children. However, in this class, Gates is more like a teacher than a student. In it, she helps prepare kids ages 3 to 5 for what they will learn in kindergarten. "I love it," she said. Gates' devotion to kids extends outside the classroom. She also is an assistant coach in Little League.

● Role model: Gates looks up to Arizona Heat softball player Leah Braatz. Gates said she actually got a chance to hang in the dugout with the UA grad last summer in a game. Gates said that she hopes to play professional softball one day. "That's my dream," she said.

● Post high school aspirations: Gates said she would like to go to school outside Arizona and continue to play softball. It seems that wish may be granted, because she already has been scouted by a number of schools. She plans to make at least seven college visits this summer. She plans to study elementary education and one day hopes to teach third grade or kindergarten.

● If you could have any superpower, what would it be? The ability to slow down and pause time. She said that superpower would come in handy when at bat or chasing down a fly ball.