Softball
Favorite athlete: Bryce Harper
Favorite team: Philadelphia Phillies
Favorite memory competing in sports: Winning the championship game at regionals to advance to the Senior League Softball World Series
Most embarrassing/funniest thing that has happened while competing in sports: At my first middle school softball game, I tripped over my own bat running to first base and my cleat came off, so I had to run all the way to second in one sock and one cleat.
Music on your playlist: Country, rap, and throwbacks
Future plans: I will be studying biochemistry at Penn State University.
Words to live by: “If there is no struggle, there is no progress”
One goal before turning 30: To be married, start a family, and have a secure and successful job.
One thing people don’t know about me: I am very superstitious and will repeat my own pregame ritual until we lose.
By Mary Jane Souder
Emily Kavulic has been having herself quite a spring on the softball diamond.
In 13 games, the Harry S Truman senior has five home runs, six doubles and 12 RBIs while batting close to .400, but softball will not be part of her future.
That’s not to say she doesn’t love softball – Kavulic does, but when she enrolls at Penn State University (Main) this fall, her focus will be on biochemistry with her sights set on a career in a lab, analyzing diseases and searching for a cure.
“I want to take advantage of every opportunity I have since this is my last year playing softball,” Kavulic said. “I was just really excited that we were able to play and that we’re having a season.”
For Kavulic, softball has always been a passion but never a sport that consumed all her spare time. She played jayvee as a freshman and was a swing player as a sophomore, playing mainly jayvee.
“If they brought me up to varsity, I would just sit,” she said.
Kavulic – who has not a trace of bitterness about her lack of varsity playing time- was understandably eager for her junior season when she would have a chance to earn some serious playing time, but that season was erased by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It really stunk because in the offseason we worked hard and looked forward to the season,” she said. “It was a new head coach, a new group of girls. It was something I was really looking forward to and it’s something I’ve enjoyed.”
Although she never competed on the highly competitive travel circuit, Kavulic – who grew up playing in-house for Levittown United - did plenty of work on her own.
“I definitely took a lot of time in the offseason to really concentrate on my hitting and defense, anything I could possibly do,” she said. “My grandfather and I would go out and hit off the tees or he would toss to me, so it was really just the two of us.”
Kavulic is reaping the dividends for her offseason work.
“She has always had big power,” Truman coach Rick Palmer said. “Before I was her head coach here, she played for me (on Levittown United), so I know her.
“We did a lot of work as far as her hitting, getting her to stay back on balls and things like that. She’s put the work in to get to where she is now. Part of it was just getting a shot and being patient with her once she got going. I don’t think we were patient with her prior.”
One of eight seniors that rotate as captains, Kavulic is more than just a power hitter.
“She is the perfect teammate,” Palmer said. “You couldn’t ask for anything more. She’s always doing what she’s supposed to be doing and doesn’t say a whole lot. She’s the nicest girl, doesn’t get into it with anybody.”
Ask Kavulic how she leads, and her answer doesn’t surprise her couch.
“During warm-ups, I’m always trying to encourage people,” she said. “If someone misses the ball – ‘Just keep your head up.’ I think I’m most valuable in that aspect.”
*****
Kavulic says she didn’t grow up in a sports family. Neither of her parents played sports, but when their daughters – fraternal twins Emily and Madison - got involved, they where there to encourage them.
“When I was growing up, I played all kinds of sports,” Kavulic said “I played soccer, basketball, softball. I started when I was five or six. I don’t know – I’ve always loved sports. I just wanted to be outside.”
The twins - who will be going their separates ways this fall - competed in sports together, and Kavulic acknowledged they although close they are also extremely competitive. So who usually wins?
“Me,” Emily said with a laugh.
In middle school, Kavulic played field hockey, basketball and softball. In high school, she played hockey for two years but then placed her focus on softball.
A highlight of her softball career came in the summer of 2019 when her Levittown United Little League team won districts, states and regionals and, as a result, earned a spot in the Little League World Series in Delaware.
“We had the opportunity to play teams from all over the world,” she said. “Our games were aired on ESPN, and everybody at home was watching. We had a big support system.”
The team was just one year removed from a loss in the regional championship game and just one win away from the World Series.
“So 2019 was kind of like a redemption year,” Kavulic said.
The community embraced the squad, and each success was celebrated. Levittown United finished fifth in the World Series with Kavulic a fixture at third base.
“Honestly, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to make it that far and have another opportunity,” she said.
After biding her time in high school, Kavulic has a home at third base, and in addition to her offensive exploits, she has become a solid contributor at the hot corner as well.
“She’s playing really good defense,” Palmer said. “She started the year out a little rocky the first two games, but now she’s been my best fielder.”
In a recent shutout loss to North Penn and pitching star Mady Volpe, Kavulic had the distinction of collecting her team’s only hit off the Coastal Carolina commit. Her philosophy when she steps on the diamond is simple.
“I play every game like it’s my last,” Kavulic said.
The Truman senior and her classmates have found out firsthand how important it is to not take anything for granted. In January, Kavulic chose to take the option and return to the classroom after being virtual since last spring.
“I’m able to be back in the building, and that’s great,” she said. “Our senior year – we’ve had nothing. No football games, no homecoming. We’re not going to have a prom, no senior trip. Softball is really the only thing.”
Off the diamond, Kavulic excels in the classroom. She takes AP and honors classes and is a member of the National Honor Society as well as Truman’s Varsity Club. She is also part of Truman Buddies, which includes mentoring a freshman coming into high school. She also tutors on the side, including some of her friends.
For now, Kavulic is enjoying every minute of her final softball season and takes with her something far more important than the wins and accolades.
“Definitely the friends, definitely the memories and just playing the game,” she said.
