Davenport High School freshman outfielder Autumn Gaylord is already proving she belongs on the varsity stage, blending poise, competitiveness and a team-first mindset every time she steps on the field.
Gaylord plays rover in the outfield, a role that demands constant communication and quick decisions on balls in the gaps. She said the most challenging part is knowing when to call off her fellow outfielders and when to defer, a split-second judgment that can change an inning. That sense of responsibility fits her calm, thoughtful approach to the game.
At the plate, Gaylord leans on a deliberate mental checklist to stay locked in. “I think about what would be best to do depending on my situation,” she said. “Should I try to go oppo? Do I need to adjust my stance in the box? Has the pitcher thrown a lot of balls in a row?” Those questions help her stay disciplined and adapt pitch to pitch rather than guessing.
Off the field, the freshman’s favorite part of softball is the unity and “sisterhood” that runs through the Davenport program. She loves that the Tigers operate as more than just teammates, whether they are joking on the field or sharing dinner after a close game. “We are not only teammates, but also a family,” Gaylord said. “We always find a way to make each other laugh.”
Gaylord credits Coach Jerrod as her biggest inspiration, saying he has taught her to laugh and smile through pressure and hard times while still pushing herself to go as hard as she can, even if failure is part of the process. Athletics, she said, have shown her that grit and determination can carry her through anything in life.
Away from softball, Gaylord enjoys reading and playing volleyball when the weather is warm. Speech is her favorite class this year because she enjoys writing, and she still remembers her longtime language arts teacher, Mrs. Lakey, from third through fifth grade as a favorite. Around the team, she points to Nevah as the most vocal teammate, Gabby as the one who keeps everyone laughing, and Rayne as the player most likely to finish with the dirtiest uniform after all those dives in Davenport’s white pinstripes.
