MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - Think back to your freshman year of college.

Penn State Harrisburg softball player Kayla Seyfert (Lebanon, Pa. / Cedar Crest) displayed tremendous character and toughness in the wake of a series of personal hardships during her freshman campaign this past spring.  The Human Development and Family Studies major was one of the Lions' brightest spots on the diamond in 2014 but it was her efforts off the field that left even more of a lasting impression on her teammates and coaches. 

In late March, Kayla was faced with the first of back-to-back unfortunate events; the death of her grandfather.  Less than 48 hours later, before her grandfather's funeral had even taken place, came more tragic news.  The 18-year old's home in Lebanon, Pa. was struck by lightning during a severe thunderstorm, caught fire and partially burned down. 

Despite the unimaginable burden she faced, Kayla refused to walk away from softball.  Aided by her teammates and coaches' support and generosity, she persevered through the most difficult stretch of her young life.  Penn State Harrisburg's softball team was at Kayla's side when her grandfather's funeral took place a few short days later.  Kayla made time between class, practice and the heart of the Blue & White's schedule to leave campus and travel home to support her family's rebuilding efforts.  Team captain Gabby Wolfe, roommate Amanda Hartman and other teammates rallied around her and pitched in with the salvage.

While those players and coaches eased her struggles off the field, Kayla thanked them with her efforts every time she stepped foot on the diamond.  The frosh played in 26 of the Lions' 29 contests and quickly cemented her spot as the team's leadoff hitter and second baseman while also earning a spot in the Blue & White rotation.  She recorded 19 hits, four of which were doubles, and scored 15 runs.  Kayla pitched in 12 outings and became the squad's most consistent relief hurler, earning one win and averaging nearly four strikeouts per game.  Her .982 fielding percentage was the best of any Penn State Harrisburg starter and she was perfect defensively in Capital Athletic Conference play. 

Even more impressive than her statistics was her academic output.  Rather than using her tribulation as an excuse to ease up, Kayla transformed her personal struggles into classroom success.  Balancing softball with 17 credits worth of classes, she earned a 3.71 GPA during the 2014 spring semester and a spot on the Dean's List.  For her efforts this spring, Kayla was named Penn State Harrisburg's Newcomer of the Year.   

No young person should have to share the joys of their first year of college life with the hardships Kayla was forced to overcome during her freshman season.  Still, Kayla was able to not only deal with them but thrive in spite of them.  Her determination, her poise, her selflessness in the face of great adversity, especially at such a young age set her apart from the crowd.  As she and her family continue to cope with the loss of a loved one and the rebuilding of their home, Kayla continues to be an exemplary student-athlete.  She is one of the Lions' building blocks of the future and she currently holds a 3.4 cumulative GPA.  It is this ability to succeed on the field of play and the field of life that make her one of Penn State Harrisburg's student-athletes with the brightest of futures.

Kayla Seyfert: what a debut.  

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