Grant High’s McKenna Howell breaks school record for home runs

DRY PRONG, La. (KALB) - The power hitter or the home run slugger?

Grant High School’s McKenna Howell has been on another level this year, knocking everything out of the park. She has broken the school’s record by hitting 10 home runs in a season. But, she said she got off to a slow start in the season and the only thing that was on her mind was to get better.

“I was struggling in the beginning,” Howell said. “I wasn’t hitting as well I wanted to. So, I started staying after school, batting two hours and trying to get back on track.”

Howell is happy about the record, but cares more about the status of the team. She knows that if she plays her role like everyone else, they would have a better shot at winning.

“To know that I’m able to do it for my team was a bigger accomplishment for me,” Howell said.

Head Coach Stephen Ray said he was not surprised to see Howell break the home run record due to the extra work she puts into the game.

“This would be the third year now, and I knew it was coming,” Coach Ray said. “I mean when she hits the ball hard, and she has a tremendous work ethic at the plate, and also when she hits well, we pitch well.”

Howell can throw as fast as she can knock them out, but she does not know if she enjoys the home runs or the strikeouts the most.

“It depends if it’s a tough game,” Howell said. ”It doesn’t matter if it’s a close game and I’m striking them out or if the bases are loaded and I hit a home run. It’s the same feeling as long as my team wins.”

Howell is a two-sport athlete and in the offseason, she does powerlifting. Coach Ray said every day she strives to be better, and it’s the natural competitor in her.

“The work ethic in practice shows she just wants to be the best,” Coach Ray said. “She strives for nothing less.”

“If I’m not first, I feel like I’m last,” Howell said. “I have to do everything to my ability to be the best player I can be. If I don’t pitch or don’t hit a great game, I don’t feel satisfied.”

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