The Softball America Spotlight: 2025 Keira Crosby
As Softball America grows its coverage at all levels, we continue our recruiting spotlight series with Keira Crosby. The two-way player from Texas brings a dynamic arm to the circle, with her strengths residing in spin and pitch location.
Name: Keira Crosby
Primary Position(s): RHP
Class Year: 2025
Hometown: New Caney, TX
Travel Ball Organization: Hotshots National Nelson 18U
What about Duke did you love the most?
When I first arrived on the Duke campus, I fell in love with the scenery. As I continued on my visit and got to know some of the athletes and coaches better I fell in love with how they treated each other and how they worked to build each other up. They have genuine relationships with each other. With Coach Young, I could tell she loved her athletes well and not only wants them to have successful softball careers, but to also come out of college as a well-rounded person.
What is your favorite travel ball memory?
By far my favorite travel ball memory would be winning the 2023 Colorado IDT. Being on a team with such a small roster, we all had to come together and compete through many tough bracket games. I still remember the stress and excitement I felt as I pitched the final curveball inside to a lefty power hitter as the final strike of the game!
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from a coach?
One of the most important things my coach has taught me is to not stay caught up on one outcome. We play a game of failure and if I am to stay stuck on a bad call or giving up a big hit, I won’t be able to successfully move on to the next pitch.
How did you get interested in softball?
I became interested in softball when I was in 6U. My dad played baseball at SHSU and my mom played softball through high school, so the sport has kind of been in the family. I started playing softball when I was five and fell in love with it immediately. I started at short and third but when I first felt the rush of controlling the pitch on the mound, I fell in love all over again.
What are your strengths as a player? What are you trying to improve on the most?
My biggest strength is being able to be a successful two-way player. As a pitcher I would say my biggest strength is my ability to spin the ball well and compete with locations.
One thing I am trying to improve on is attacking the strike zone early. As I am getting closer to the collegiate level, the zone has started to shrink. I want to be able to get ahead early in a count and compete with any umpire’s strike zone.
What player(s) do you look up to the most?
One of the biggest players I look up to is Cassidy Curd. The way she carries herself on the mound and the way she encourages her team is always fun to watch.
What are your favorite hobbies outside of softball?
Some things I enjoy outside of softball are hanging out with my friends, doing activities with my family, and I haven’t played in a while, but I LOVE playing pickleball.
What excites you the most about playing college softball?
The thing that most excites me about playing college softball is being able to play the sport I love at the highest level with other girls by my side who have also worked so hard to achieve this dream. To be able to compete and work together to be the best college team in the country is a dream I look forward to making a reality.
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