The crack of the bat, the rush of the outfield, and the thrill of competition have shaped Lyric Prince’s life at Valliant High School. But for her, the sport is about more than just wins and losses. “Probably that we all get along. It’s honestly rare to have a team where everyone loves each other like sisters. There’s no drama to deal with, just people that grew up together playing ball,” she said.
That sisterhood fuels her on the diamond, especially as she closes out her senior year. “My goal is to perfect my hitting and have the greatest season I can since it is my last,” Prince explained. She’s taken that goal seriously, preparing herself mentally and physically for each challenge. “Warm up and get as loose as possible before the game, and making sure my energy’s high so I can give it my all.”
Her mindset is simple, but powerful. “That this isn’t going to last forever, and one day I’ll never be on the diamond again. So, no matter how bad things get in games, I’m going to enjoy every second of it,” she said.
Prince has been a force in center field, though her flexibility is part of her strength. “I can play any position in the field except pitcher, but my main and favorite spot is center field,” she shared. At the plate, she relies on strategy and quick decision-making. “When I’m hitting, I look at the corners, specifically third base. If they play too far back, I’ll always pop a bunt down and be safe.”
For Prince and her teammates, the dream is bigger than one season. “Our dream goal is making it to state since none of us ever have on the team. We work Monday through Friday after school for hours and we’ve been in weekend tournaments every week to get more experience,” she said.
Still, her legacy is about more than records or stats. “That I was a solid player all around and that I cared for my team,” Prince said, reflecting on what she hopes to leave behind when she graduates. Post-graduation, Prince hopes to major in art and become a tattoo artist.
