Malli L. Zeaman is a sophomore pitcher on the Piedmont High School varsity softball team, where she has drawn attention for her poise, work ethic and team-first approach. In her first full season at the varsity level, Zeaman has embraced the challenge of competing against older, more experienced players, crediting them with setting a standard of hard work, determination and leadership that pushes her to improve every day.
Zeaman said her favorite subject as biology and names Coach Hatfield, her eighth-grade history teacher, as her favorite instructor. Off the field, she enjoys spending time with friends, reading, snowboarding and scuba diving, a mix of interests that reflects a balanced, active lifestyle. She says the lake is her favorite place in her hometown, a detail that underscores her connection to the community around Piedmont High.
On the mound, Zeaman identifies the mental battle as the toughest part of pitching. She notes that the challenge lies in staying out of her own head between pitches, learning from mistakes without letting them define the next play. “Every pitch matters, so you have to stay confident, and keep competing regardless of the situation,” she said, emphasizing the need to maintain focus for herself, her teammates and her coaches. She sums up the best unwritten rule in softball as having a “goldfish memory,” meaning players should quickly forget errors or bad pitches and attack the next opportunity at full speed.
Zeaman praised the program’s coaching staff for teaching the strategic side of the game in addition to physical skills. She said the coaches are knowledgeable, supportive and invested in helping athletes grow, adding that her teammates share that same commitment to learning and working hard. She also highlighted the influence of Harper Willie, a friend since t-ball who has been on the same team with Zeaman since kindergarten. “Her dedication to softball has truly shown me how amazing this sport is,” Zeaman said.
In the dugout, Zeaman pointed to Avery Kirtley as the most vocal teammate, constantly cheering everyone on, and Calli Combs as the player who keeps morale high with humor. She noted that Danni Summers often ends up with the dirtiest uniform because she slides and dives frequently. Zeaman said athletics have taught her to push through adversity, stay positive and never give up, lessons she applies both on and off the field. Through injuries and setbacks, she has focused on becoming stronger, more disciplined and more resilient, crediting the team environment for helping her grow as a player and person.
