KILGORE SOFTBALL HONORS RAY, BONDS | Lady ‘Dogs finish 2024 season

On senior night, it was a tough loss for Kilgore, a 22-1 loss at home for the Lady Bulldogs to cap the 2024 season, one where they’ll miss the UIL Class 4A playoffs.

But that shouldn’t be how catcher Eva Ray remembers her career for KHS.

Ray was mobbed by teammates before the game during senior night festivities and recognized as the team’s only senior that played the season, although Baylee Bonds also is graduating, as well – more on that in just a moment.

Senior catcher Eva Ray (center, knelt down) played all four seasons for Kilgore’s Lady Bulldogs. (Photo by JENNA LUCAS – ETBLITZ.COM)

Ray played all four seasons, three of them for former coach Cheyenne Kirkpatrick, herself a former Bulldog, and made the playoffs more often than not. She bows out this year having won just one District 17-4A game, but beat one of its playoff teams (Spring Hill) under first-year coach Lacey Middlebrooks, and perhaps helped lay the groundwork for a foundation of good things to come.

Ray was recognized before the game and joined by her father and mother, Jared and Kenya Ray, as well as her brother, Cullen, his girlfriend Lilly Hoskins, and former coach Kirkpatrick, and of course, her teammates.

Baylee Bonds

They were also joined by Bonds, a former teammate who was honored and escorted by Kirkpatrick. Bonds elected not to play this season after suffering through injuries, but was recognized on senior night, as well.

Bonds listed her softball accomplishments as junior varsity captain and JV most valuable player, and varsity academic all-district. She also is a member of the National Honor Society and the Health Science Patient Care Technician program.

“I want to thank Coach K for teaching me everything I know, and staying positive when I was injured, and softball was ripped away from me, and thank you to my parents for pushing me to my limits that they knew I could reach and accomplish. Number 3 out.”

Her future plans are to go to college to be a nurse, and to help others. And her advice to underclassmen: don’t take it for granted – you will miss it when it’s gone. Play for yourself, not for others.

Eva Ray

Softball accomplishments that Eva listed for her sophomore year were second-team infield, and for her junior year were student athlete of the month, an all-district honorable mention.

In addition to her softball career, Eva was very involved in Kilgore High School’s band, a member of the drumline.

Her future plans are to continue her education at Kilgore College, where she will enroll in the corrosion technology program.

Advice to the underclassmen she’s leaving behind: Enjoy it while you can, because it goes by so fast. Don’t get in your head and play to have fun.

From Eva herself:

“Thank you for being my family on and off the field. I’m forever grateful for having such amazing girls as my teammates. To Addi and Karsyn, thank you for always sticking by my side and making me laugh, no matter what, even though we always make each other mad. Aniyah, Kell and Jae’la, thank y’all for always hyping me up and making sure I’m never mad in the dugout. Molly, AKA my twin, I’m so glad that we got to make all of these memories these past two years. Playing with you on the field has been so fun, and you are gonna do so amazing next year.

“Thaiona, I’ve enjoyed playing this year with you so much. Thank you for always making sure that I’m having fun and laughing. I know that I can always come to you when I feel like complaining and you will listen sometimes. I am gonna miss playing on the field with you, but I know you are gonna do so good next year, and even in college.

“To my mom and dad and brother, thank y’all for always supporting me and watching me play the sport I love. I’m so grateful for y’all always being at my games and cheering me on. Coach Gabby, thank you for not only being a coach but also a friend. I’m gonna miss all of the laughs, and most of all, the first base candy.

“Coach Middlebrooks, thank you for coming in this year and showing us so much love and support. The team and I wouldn’t be where we are without you. I will always love and cherish the memories of KHS softball. I love all of y’all so much.

“No. 17 signing out!”

Ray had a single in her final game, and so did Molly Quine. Madelyn Tucker had a triple, and Aniyah Polk had a double. Moore had four strikeouts for the Lady Bulldogs, who complete the season.

Eva with her family: parents Jared and Kenya Ray, brother Cullen and his girlfriend, Lilly Hoskins. Below: Eva’s commemorative table. (Photos by JENNA LUCAS – ETBLITZ.COM)