Fulfilling a dream

“I’ve been playing softball my whole life – since I was three years old, so this is a big accomplishment. Softball has always been my favorite sport and I’ve always known I wanted to play in college. Actually singing (the document) was really amazing. I’m excited to move on to bigger things.”

Senior Alyssa Albaugh

TORRINGTON – Torrington High School senior Alyssa Albaugh emerged as a leader early in her softball career.

Albaugh joined the Cheyenne South Lady Bison softball team her freshman year (2021) – the first season following the Wyoming High School Association’s approval of the sport in 2019. The freshman was one of only two players on the team who possessed a background in softball.

“We both had to step up and carry our leadership skills over, along with what we knew about the game to the other players,” Albaugh said.

Albaugh continued to play varsity softball for Cheyenne South (Torrington lacked a team until this spring when a junior varsity squad was formed) and served as a team captain as a sophomore, junior and senior.

“I love leading, because I’m helping my teammates. But it also helps me keep my composure and my thoughts and emotions in check during games.”

Albaugh committed to play softball at the college level when the senior signed to compete for the Western Nebraska Community College Lady Cougars at a ceremony with family, friends and coaches on March 21.

“I’ve been playing softball my whole life – since I was three years old, so this is a big accomplishment,” Albaugh said. “Softball has always been my favorite sport and I’ve always known I wanted to play in college. Actually singing (the document) was really amazing. I’m excited to move on to bigger things.”

Albaugh began her sports career in t-ball and youth softball leagues, following in her older sister’s footsteps.

When the family moved to Torrington, Albaugh played softball for coaches Molly and Rob Moorehouse and the sport clicked. 

“(The Moorehouses) really got me to start playing,” Albaugh said. “I stuck with it and it became my thing.”

For a significant portion of the year, Albaugh eats and breathes softball. During the spring high school season, Albaugh travels to practice with the Cheyenne South Lady Bison at least two or three times a week.

“I was kind of nervous going to Cheyenne as a freshman, but they welcomed me with open arms and made it my home,” Albaugh said. 

Over the summer, Albaugh makes the trip to Wyoming’s capital several times a week to play club softball for the Cheyenne Extreme 18U team. 

The Extreme participate in tournaments across the region, including in Colorado, Oklahoma and Utah or “basically wherever there are tournaments available,” Albaugh noted.

Albaugh primarily plays shortstop and catcher, although she found herself in “every position” throughout a long softball career.

Albaugh looks forward to continuing her softball career at the collegiate level, where she plans to study special education and speech pathology.

“I’m excited to see how playing college softball will get me better at the sport and moving on to the next level,” Albaugh said.

Post-college plans for softball remain undetermined, but Albaugh remarked, “I could definitely see myself coaching in the future.”

Albaugh thanked Rob and Molly Moorehouse, her coaches at Cheyenne South – Xia and Curtis Quigley – and her club softball coaches for their encouragement.

Albaugh also expressed gratitude to her family and parents.

“I couldn’t have done it without my parents,” Albaugh said.