Sequoyah standout continues future in softball with UHSP

Alicia Kimble was searching for her path in softball.

The Sequoyah alum’s mind has been set on becoming a pharmacist since middle school and her passion for softball rolled right into that.

But finding a way to make that happen was not as clear for Kimble. Looking at most likely following a four-year program with pharmacy school after that was on her path before a coach introduced her to the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis.

Union University in Jackson told Kimble about the accelerated paths available while she was communicating with them.

Since then, the power hitting catcher has been focused on finding the right one.

Then, a coach at Johnson University pointed her in the direction of UHSP.

“Ever since (Union) opened up my eyes, that is all I have looked for. It made my school choices really slim and it was hard,” Kimble said of the time prior to finding UHSP. “I got discouraged in the beginning. A lot of the pharmacy schools were after four years of undergraduate.”

Kimble’s story with softball starts nearly 12 years ago, as a kid playing in rec leagues. Over the years, she has shown talent with the bat but has also made a name for herself behind the plate.

She started catching after her eighth grade season, taking pitches from various arms two or three times a week in the offseason.

The change took time for Kimble to smoothly navigate but, even as a freshman, she had the determination to figure things out. And the Lady Chiefs were in need of a new face behind the plate by the time her softball season rolled around.

“It was a huge difference. It took a lot of work,” Kimble said. “Every time I would overthink I would overthrow the ball or try to do something fancy that did not work. I definitely stopped overthinking, but it took a long time to stop overthinking.”

Over the next three seasons, Kimble caught 396 innings with 13 runners caught stealing. At the same time, she tallied 97 hits and 26 home runs — led by 41 hits, 12 home runs and a .500 batting average as a senior.

“They are going to get a good, all-around player. A good defensive player, a good offensive player, a good leader and a quality player who will definitely come in and help their program,” Sequoyah coach Allen Roberts said. “She is going to come in and bring energy and a good work ethic. That is something she has always been with us. She is an extreme worker and does things with a purpose.”

Kimble established herself as a key player for Sequoyah in 2022 before growing that into a successful career with the Lady Chiefs. Her strides and success serve as an example of how her mentality and leadership paid off.

“It just makes it easy. When you have kids that want to be there, it makes it easy. You are not having to push themselves, they push themselves,” Roberts added. “They want to be there, they want to do it and they love it. It just makes it so much easier as a coach. It helps guide things a little bit and they are the ones that want to put in the time.”

Kimble’s first trip to St. Louis was for her tryout. UHSP gave her tours of the facility and allowed her to meet players and talk with coaches, including head coach Michelle Patrico.

“She was awesome. After I went to my school she basically gave me another tour,” Kimble said. “All together, they were just a very good team and very welcoming.”

While at Sequoyah, Kimble helped the Lady Chiefs to one district championship and three region tournament appearances.

“I loved playing for Sequoyah. I feel like Coach Allen has always had a lot of luck when it comes to catchers and I like that I kind of added to that little legacy of that,” Kimble said. “I am also so glad that I got to play with Brooke Freeman. She is one of my best friends.”

Kimble also played travel ball with the Birmingham Vipers and Chattanooga Force.

“I think a lot of players want to be leaders, but I think certain players just lead. With Alicia, it was a lot about her energy that she brought during ball games,” Roberts added.“As a team, when she was having a big day we just kind of fueled off of her. That is what leaders kind of do.

“And because they are workers, other people see that and it bleeds into other areas.”