During Kayleigh Garcia’s second prep at-bat, she hit the ball over the wall for a home run.

The hit didn’t necessarily shock the freshman. Garcia recognized her talent and knew she was capable, but Garcia acknowledged she occasionally struggled to hit the ball.

Then, in her third at-bat, another homer.

Palmer Ridge scorched Pueblo West 12-1 in the season opener and Garcia, who finished with two home runs, three hits and four RBI in her debut, expected to cool off with the dingers.

Garcia did for the next four contests, but notched 10 home runs in the final 22 contests for the Bears and ended the year 37th in the nation with 12. OK, this was different than what Garcia experienced for club ball.

Garcia’s performance this season earned her Softball Peak Performer of the Year by The Gazette.

“I put in a lot of work to get those numbers but I’m so happy that it finally started to show,” Garcia said. “I’m glad I’m turning a corner in my softball career.”

In her first season, Garcia led the Bears in home runs and in stolen bases (21), runs (46), RBI (41), slugging percentage (1.082) and finished second on the team in batting average (.471), on-base percentage (.541) and hits (40.)

Garcia said multiple times that her success in the batter’s box this season surprised her. During her years playing club ball, Garcia said hitting, “wasn’t always my best.”

“There was definitely a mental hurdle,” Garcia said. “Being a freshman, people don’t expect you to do that. Taking on that role wasn’t easy, but I had great teammates and coaches and everyone to help me along the way.”

Palmer Ridge coach Jason Romero also noticed the difference in Garcia’s confidence as the season progressed.

Romero said he’s coached Garcia since she played club and never witnessed her hit the ball how she did this season.

“I think what we did in our program really helped her swing and confidence and shot her to where she’s at now,” Romero said. “Her teammates helped her feel confident and comfortable in her skin as a freshman. … She took off and was able to hit all those dingers and give the team some confidence and her defense was amazing, too.”

As Garcia displayed in the postseason against Severance. Earlier in the season, both teams ended their contest in a 0-0 tie.

In the opening round of the 3A playoffs, the No. 7-seeded Silver Knights and No. 10 Bears were tied 4-4 in the bottom of the sixth. With an out on the board, Severance’s Alex Avila hit a shot that would have sailed out of reach of the Bears.

If not for Garcia.

Garcia tracked the ball, bolted toward the shot, back peddled and, as she caught the ball in her glove, flipped over the fence to rob Avila of the homer and to keep the game tied at 4-4.

Then, Garcia was walked to start the seventh and after a passed ball, scored to give the Bears a 5-4 advantage in the seventh. The Bears never relinquished the lead en route to their first softball playoff win.

“That win was definitely a milestone for us,” Romero said. “It’s amazing for Kayleigh, her family and our team. Our program is still building up. … Kayleigh came in with another freshman, Savanah (Martinez) and both of them helped us this year along with our upperclassmen. We had a foundation of high standards and Kayleigh really thrives in that. She loves those high standards and accountability and it really shows.”

Garcia realizes as a sophomore, she won’t have the luxury of novelty. Teams know what to expect when she’s on the diamond.

With Garcia’s work ethic, however, she believes her confidence will continue to grow as will her game.

“I have to continue to work on and improve anything I can,” Garcia said. “At the end of the day, whatever happens happens. … I have to give all glory to God because He helped me and our team and you could see it this year. Knowing that I’m a valuable player to the team means a lot since I’ve been so close with these people for so long.”