Kylie McMillan says she feels a special connection to her Valparaiso teammates.
The sophomore pitcher/first baseman has grown close to them in her second varsity season.
“It’s just being a part of another family that you don’t have,” McMillan said. “I’m an only child, so I don’t have any sisters or brothers. They’re like my siblings.”
Teammates appreciate her too. Several noted McMillan’s attitude in particular.
“Kylie brings a lot of light energy,” sophomore catcher Elizabeth Kosek said. “She brings a lot of stuff that other people don’t. She’s always positive, whether she’s on the mound, at first or in the dugout. She has a great mindset. She has a positive mindset, whether the game is going our way or not.”
Senior first baseman Reese Clausing put it simply.
“Kylie’s just a really good teammate,” Clausing said. “She’s very nice. Whenever we are playing, she always makes sure we know that she supports us with everything we do. Even when we’re having a down game, she’ll still pick us up. She tries to do anything she can that will help us compete in the game and win the game, and she always has a smile on her face.”
McMillan’s good humor is infectious, according to senior outfielder Mya Radinovic.
“I’m very glad that I get to spend my last two years of high school playing with her and having her as my teammate because even when I’m down, she always makes me laugh, and I don’t know how,” Radinovic said. “I am going to miss her when I graduate. I wish I could take her to college with me.”
That last sentiment particularly struck an emotional chord with McMillan, whose power of personality and performance have endeared her to the Vikings (5-6). Through Thursday, she was hitting .400 with team highs of five homers and 17 RBIs, and she was 4-3 in the circle.
“I’m just focusing on the fundamentals and not being in my head,” she said.
Valparaiso coach Tracy Corneil praised McMillan for her all-around efforts.
“She’s a fantastic teammate,” Corneil said. “She really thrives in that team environment. She knows team success means her success as well. She’s really hitting the ball well, seeing it. Good pitch selection. She just keeps getting better and better.”
As a freshman, McMillan hit .361 with a homer and 14 RBIs, and she went 3-3 as a pitcher. The Vikings went 5-19 as they rebuilt after an historic 2022 season that included a 20-3 record and their first Duneland Athletic Conference title since 2001. McMillan has confidence they’re returning to form this season.
“I feel like Valpo is on its way back to being a stellar team,” she said.
McMillan has been doing her share. She said she lifted weights to get significantly stronger this season.
“I feel a lot more comfortable this year, mainly because I’ve played with these girls for a year now and some I’ve played travel with or played with before,” she said. “We all trust each other.
“Last year, it was a big difference going from travel to high school. You see older girls who have been playing longer. With the record they had before us coming in, you have to live up that potential. It was stressful, but you get through it.”
Indeed, McMillan has emerged on the other side more prepared.
“She’s improved a lot on the field,” Radinovic said. “Her softball IQ has definitely gone up. She’s made a lot of improvement hitting. I’m so proud of her hitting. Pitching-wise, she’s a phenomenal pitcher. I give her credit, 100%. She always knows how to help the team out when it’s a sticky situation or when it’s a good situation.
“She’s been kicking butt this whole year, and I’m excited to see how the rest of the year turns out.”
Kosek, McMillan’s battery mate, also has noticed her progress.
“I’ve seen a lot of improvement from last year,” Kosek said. “We play travel ball together, so I’ve seen a lot from there too. Just progressively over the year, all of her pitches have more spin, more movement and even faster as well.”
McMillan, who also plays club volleyball, switched from baseball to softball when she was 10. For her travel softball team, she primarily lines up at second base and shortstop, with a little time at third base too.
Based on McMillan’s versatility, Corneil joked about starting her in the outfield for the Vikings’ next game. McMillan good-naturedly balked.
“I can track a ball, but I don’t know if I have the speed to get to the ball,” she said with a smile.
Still, McMillan might be able to accomplish anything she pursues. She already has a solid idea about her future profession.
“I want to be an OB-GYN nurse, and if I really enjoy that, go back and become an actual OB-GYN,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to be a doctor. I love working with little kids. I feel like being an OB-GYN, you get to see a life being born right away.”
Corneil was savoring McMillan’s present and is also looking forward to her future.
“She has an incredible work ethic,” Corneil said. “She’s extremely coachable. She makes adjustments. She understands that she’s not going to be perfect every game, but she’s really working on trying not to be too hard on herself. She’s just trying to come out here and just be her best self every day, and she does that.
“She brings so much to our team. She’s just super bright. I just can’t wait to see even off the softball field where it takes her. She’s a special kid. The possibilities are endless. She’s a pleasure to coach.”
