Kaitlyn Williams will take her considerable talents to Savannah State University after a decorated four-year career with the Alcovy High School fastpitch softball team. If past history serves as any indication, her impacts figure to extend far beyond the field.
The five-tool player designation fits Kaitlyn Williams. Whether in the batter’s box, on the bases or in the field, opponents see her as a force to be reckoned with. She compiled quite a career resume in four seasons with the Alcovy High School fastpitch softball team, which resulted in multiple scholarship offers.
Qualities that keyed Williams’ multifaceted success on the diamond also translate to other aspects of her life. She serves in the youth group at Solid Rock Church in Social Circle and works as a sales associate at Worthy Clothing Co. on The Square in downtown Covington. No matter the arena, Williams brings one constant with her: a smile. Consider it a byproduct of what she was taught at a young age.
“Growing up, my parents instilled in me [that] ‘a smile can change somebody’s day,’ and that’s something I carried heavily with me,” she said. “Then also getting stronger in my faith just as I got older. My favorite quote ever is to say, ‘But God.’ Whatever happens, you still have God, so that’s one of the things that keeps me positive. Everything’s going to be OK and, at the end of the day, the day is going to end and you’re going to get a fresh start tomorrow. You’re always going to be able to start, hopefully, with a clean slate.”
Williams began her softball journey when she first picked up a bat at 3 years old. Her father, Dr. Kristopher Williams, played college baseball and passed along his passion for the game. Williams blossomed into a multi-dimensional player and gained experience at every position except pitcher and catcher. In addition to the time she spent with Alcovy, she has been part of various travel teams, from Georgia Mayhem and Lady Jackets to Georgia Bombers and Elite Diamonds.
“I always believe what goes around comes around, and that’s something that’s super big to me.”
Kaitlyn Williams
During 112 career games at Alcovy, Williams registered a .417 batting average with 83 runs batted in and 48 stolen bases. She committed only 14 errors in her four years at the varsity level, good for a .954 fielding percentage. Williams led the Lady Tigers to consecutive region championships as a sophomore and junior, along with the first Elite Eight appearance in school history. She racked up plenty of individual accolades, too. Williams was named to the First Team All-Region twice and Second Team All-Region once, while also winning Alcovy’s prestigious Gold Glove award in 2023. She was named the team’s Most Valuable Player as a senior.
William’s love for softball runs deep for a variety of reasons.
“It’s a failure sport,” she said. “You’re going to fail more times than you succeed, so, if anything, it taught me how to face adversity. That’s one thing I did enjoy about playing. It did teach me to face adversity, and it did show me you’re going to fail in life but you’ve got to pick yourself right back up.”
Williams also excelled in the classroom, where she ranked in the Top 10 of her graduating class at Alcovy. A member of the National Honors Society, she simultaneously took Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment courses. It all paid off in February, when Williams signed her national letter of intent to play softball at Savannah State University, where she intends to major in biology. She enrolls at the school in the fall to pursue a long-term goal of becoming a doctor while serving as a utility player with her new team.
Church remains a focus for Williams. She attends Sunday and Wednesday services, assists with special events and participates in Pursuit, the student-led ministry at Solid Rock.
“Caring [is my calling] … [and] listening to people, whether we do small groups and they’re going through something,” Williams said. “I think I do very well. I’ve been told that I do very well just talking to people through situations and offering my advice on how I would handle a situation or how you should according to the Bible.”
Williams also throws herself into the job at Worthy Clothing Co., just one of the many hats she wears. Among her responsibilities: sales, setting out items on the floor for display, creating barcodes and steaming clothes.
“I always say, ‘You never know what these women are coming here shopping for,’” she said. “They might have just had a baby and they’re like, ‘Well, I don’t really know what to look for? I’m just trying to get my style back.’ You’re able to help them out. Or they’re just going through a tough time and you’re able to talk to them and help them out and spread the Gospel. That’s our thing in there: ‘Flawed and still worthy.’”
To fulfill her daily itinerary, Williams stays in rhythm with her routine. From going to the gym at 7 a.m. to being asleep by 11 p.m., she has everything mapped out. However, she does not do anything begrudgingly. Quite the opposite seems true. Every ounce of effort—playing the sport she loves, serving her home church or assisting customers—goes toward shining a light for others.
“I want people to see Jesus through me. I want to give back,” Williams said. “I always believe what goes around comes around, and that’s something that’s super big to me.”
Click here to read more stories by Phillip B. Hubbard.
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