Raising the bar: Piedmont softball standout Karissa Fiegener is eyeing more individual, team accolades

Fiegener, Piedmont in position to play for third state fast pitch title in four seasons

By Michael Kinney

OKLAHOMA CITY - As a junior, Karissa Fiegener was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for Oklahoma.

To say the news came as a surprise to the Piedmont shortstop would be an understatement. 

“I was very shocked,” Fiegener said. “It was shocking.”

Despite batting .532 with 11 home runs, 47 RBIs and 45 runs scored, Fiegener was blown away by the honor, which was awarded this past summer.

However, earning the accolade also set a high bar for Fiegener entering her senior season. Every time she took the field, Piedmont’s opponents knew exactly who she was and what she could do.

Yet, Fiegener was still able to post a .418 batting average to go along with 26 RBIs, 31 runs and five homers.

While the numbers in the box score may have taken a dip, Fiegener’s impact only increased.

“She’s had a great year. Offensively, she's not putting up the numbers that she did last year, mainly because she's getting pitched around so much this year,” said Piedmont coach Keith Coleman. “But the thing about Karissa is she is the absolute best teammate you could ever wish for.

"I mean it's pretty rare that your most talented player - the Gatorade player of the year - is the most selfless, most humble and the absolute best teammate on our team.”

That can be seen in the goals Fiegener set for herself as she entered her senior campaign. While she did not shy away from the individual honors, the success of the Wildcats came first.

"I just want to be the best I can be. Work as hard as I can; don't let my team down and just go play,” Fiegener said. “Last year, I was Gatorade player of the year, so I kind of want to do that again, but team goals are more important.

"Being able to win as a team is all I want.”

By win, Fiegener means another state championship. She is looking to earn her third championship in four years.

Piedmont entered the playoffs with a Class 5A best 33-3 record. The next closest in terms of wins is Tahlequah with 27.

“We've all just built our energy from last year,” Fiegener said. “We're playing together as a team. We're working together.

"We came together after last year more than we already were.”

Fiegener will get to experience her final fast pitch state tournament later this week. Piedmont opens up the 5A tournament on Thursday, playing Duncan at 11 a.m. at the ASA Hall of Fame complex in Oklahoma City.

Regardless of how this season concludes, Fiegener described her four years at Piedmont as outstanding. Her coaching staff agrees.

“She is a leader for us. She sets a great example for everyone on our program,” Coleman said. “We will obviously miss her when she graduates. We'll miss her athleticism, her talent, but above all else, we will miss her.

"I mean, she's such a great kid. I think that's why she's had so much success because she truly is the best teammate we have.”

Despite that, Fiegener is looking forward to the next chapter in her life.

She has already committed to continuing her softball career at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix (Az.). She made the decision a year ago and has not budged off her choice.

Fiegener said she knew in ninth grade she had a chance to play at the next level.

“I'm pumped,” Fiegener said. “I can't wait to play. It's going to be so exciting.

"Since I started playing softball, it's always been my dream of being able to be a college athlete.”