10 questions with Sheldon softball star pitcher Payton Burnham

Payton Burnham is following a junior season where she was named Gatorade Player of the Year with a dynamite senior campaign with more than 200 strikeouts.

Last year, Sheldon softball won their second state title in five years behind the dominant arm of Burnham. The Irish are poised to contend for the Class 6A title later this month under first-year head coach Avery Morehead Hutsell at 23-3 overall, 18-0 in the Southwest Conference.

In a Q&A Burnham, an Arkansas commit, talks about what makes her an effective pitcher, the moment she realized she was a college-caliber player and more.

1: What has your senior year been like in softball?

It kind of feels the same as last year. At the same time as it's just starting to hit me where it's like, wow, I only have three weeks left. It's kind of that grind time and performing now but also looking at the future in summer ball and college. I'm going to play with my travel ball team from Arizona, Arizona Storm.

2: What stands out the most playing at Sheldon?

The environment here with all these girls. Yes, we've been together for a really long time, but it's family and you can definitely see that watching practices, we're all having fun. Treat each other like sisters.

3: What makes you an effective pitcher?

My mentality more than anything. I kind of have that competitive edge, I guess, and it doesn't matter how I'm feeling that day. Like yesterday (May 7 win against Sherwood), I was not feeling very good going three games in two days. I was definitely a little sore, but I was like, I'm going to figure it out. I'm going to roll some ground balls to my team and see what happens type feel.

4: You threw three no-hitters this season. What was going on in your head during those games?

To be honest, I don't even notice until afterwards usually and then Connie Gilhuber (assistant coach) comes over to me and shows me the chart and I'm like, 'Oh, no way.' But mostly spinning the ball, working a spot and just trying to do the little things right. Also, if I'm not feeling it, I will pitch contact and I'll be like, 'Hey, Brooke Peterson (infielder), I'm going to get you a ground ball.'

5: What have you learned from coach Avery Morehead Hutsell?

I've learned more on a personal scale with how to be a better teammate and reading the room a little bit more. That was one thing that I needed to work on from last year. I was definitely one track minded with we need to win type of deal. And this year, it's more like let's have fun, let's bring the energy but also stay focused type of deal. So, I've learned working with people a little bit better and she's one of the best to learn from.

6: Was there someone in your life that was instrumental in helping you become the player you are today?

My parents for sure. I had to basically pry out of them what they've told me about themselves. My mom was one of those role models for me growing up even though she wasn't a pitcher, she was a shortstop. She would always push me but keep it real. I remember driving home after games and I'd be like, 'I did really good,' and she's like, 'but you could have done this better,' type of deal.

7: Do you have any athletes you look up to?

Yes and no. The Michael Jordan documentary was a big thing that my parents and I watched together and taking things from that and learning from that. Nolan Ryan (former MLB pitcher) was one of the people growing up that was cool and then Valerie Cagle for Clemson I love to watch her play and she's really cool.

8: Was there a moment that you realized you were a college-caliber pitcher?

I don't know if I ever did, and I still don't think I am to some point. But last year, when I finally started making the jumps and started getting the calls, I was like 'Oh, I could try to do this type of deal.' Growing up I was always told you have the potential to do it, but you got to work hard enough for it. Once I started to enjoy working hard and enjoy coming to practices, I felt like when things started clicking. Even until today, I'm like is this really happening.

9: What does softball mean to you?

Everything. I try not to make it my life, but it is my life. It's kind of my release after a long day of school. Then obviously competing, that's my favorite part of it.

10: What advice would you give to young softball players hoping to get to your level?

Just work really hard. Take it one day at a time and be OK with failing. It's hard but you have to learn how to fail and you have to be OK with it and then you have to learn from that failure. Let's say you have a bad at bat; you can't let that affect you the next at bat or you are not going to hit very well. Or if you give up a home run. What are you going to do about it? You are going to walk the next four girls, or you are going to come after the next girl. Kind of having that 'you can't faze me' mentality and just leave it all out there.

Edith Noriega is a sports reporter for The Register-Guard. You may reach her at ENoriega@gannett.com and follow her on X at @Noriega_Edith.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: 6A Sheldon softball pitcher Payton Burnham talks her senior season