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Kaylynn Carter has become well-acquainted with Firestone Stadium.
So much so, in fact, that the famed facility, which is now over 100 years old, is essentially a second home for Carter.
It's certainly been the place where Carter has enjoyed many of her favorite softball memories.
From helping Wheelersburg hoist three OHSAA State Championships in the sport of softball and adding to the program's legacy of dominance in the game to helping NCAA Division II member Findlay win its first-ever Great Midwest Athletic Conference Championship in the famed digs this past May en route to a 39-win season and a NCAA Division II automatic bid in the national tournament as a two-way player, Carter, like many Wheelersburg softball players that have come before, during, and after her time, seems to shine the most when the lights are at their brightest.
That, however, comes from a brand recognition that Carter says is well-known, particularly for the confidence and never-say-die attitude that extends from its community to its student-athletes.
"Going to school three-and-a-half hours away and knowing my coach recognizes the name 'Wheelersburg' means everything to me," Carter said. "That's not only because of what I have done, but because of the reputation the program has built. Words can not describe the pride I have in being a Pirate."
From the very beginning of her time playing tee ball, Carter played the sport of softball, and loved the sport of softball. She's dedicated every fall and summer to the game since the age of nine.
Many people who inquire about Carter's dedication to the grind wonder how Carter does it.
Carter herself never has.
"It has been year-round for me for more of my life than it hasn’t. So many people have told me that they don’t know how I do it or have asked me if it’s worth all the sacrifices I have made for it. I say yes every single time. I would have never met a quarter of the people I’ve met through travel ball, most of which are my friends now. I would have never gained all the experiences and life lessons that I have. And, I would have never became the person I am today if not for all the time I’ve spent on softball."
Initially, Carter's dream was to play NCAA Division I college softball, because that was the softball she was seeing on cable television at the time.
That was her main goal at the time because that was all Carter knew, understandably.
As reality set in about the recruiting process, Carter chose to keep a realistic but positive outlook on her future.
"Of course then, all I saw was all the NCAA Division I players that I watched on TV. I used to think that my biggest goal in life was to play D1 softball," Carter said. "And, I was determined to get a full ride. Both of those things are much easier said than done, which I realized as I got older and went through my recruitment. In my opinion, the division you end up at is not everything. I’ve seen many great players go to small schools. Being able to play in college at any level is an achievement to be proud of. The division does not define the player."
It's that very mentality that defined Carter's career at Wheelersburg, and ultimately defined how she is remembered in the Lady Pirates' program.
In fellow NCAA Division II pitcher AndiJo Howard, Wheelersburg already had an embarassment of riches inside the circle prior to Carter's freshman season even beginning.
But the flamethrowing Carter only added to what ended up being one of the most dynamic one-two punches in recent memory from a pitching standpoint in the sport of softball.
With an embarrassment of riches from a hitting standpoint that included players like Macee Eaton, Sydney Skiver, Haley Myers, fellow freshman teammates Catie Boggs and Laken Wright and experienced and steady hands in Rileigh Lang, Kiera Kennard, Brynley Preston and Lyndsay Heimbach, the star-studded lineup was something that Carter simply added to.
Those players and more simply added focus, competitive fire and grit on top of layers of talent that were simply undeniable.
Combined with a veteran coaching staff that had already done plenty of winning even prior to the group's arrival, their eventual destiny, one could say, was already preordained.
Behind the leadership of Ohio High School Fastpitch Coaches Association (OHSFSCA) Hall of Fame head coach Teresa Ruby and her staff, Carter embarked on a career that was impressive even by Wheelersburg standards.
"(Teresa) Ruby is extremely competitive naturally, and her spirit for the game definitely has an impact on the players," Carter said. "And, it’s not just her. The rest of the coaching staff love the sport so visibly that I think the entire team felt it. The support we had from the staff was incredible. Between them and the players, I felt like the team was a machine: a bunch of individual parts that do what they need to do so the whole thing succeeds. Everyone has a mutual respect for each other and genuinely wants others to succeed, which is something I think many teams are missing."
As a freshman, Carter helped throw knockout punches when needed. She did just that in the 2022 OHSAA Division III State Championship Game against Massillon Tuslaw, needing only 26 pitches to throw two innings of scoreless relief en route to obtaining the game's final six outs and clinching Wheelersburg's second softball title in the sport.
With Preston and Heimbach gone off of that team from the starting lineup during the Lady Pirates' run to the state championship game and a 27-1 overall record, Wheelersburg had work to do to replace their valued output. But the Lady Pirates made that tough task look seamless as Ava Estep replaced Heimbach's position in left field, while Myers moved from second base to fill Preston's spot behind the plate, giving rising sophomore Emma Smith the opportunity to start at second base.
With additional playing time herself offensively as a sophomore, Carter shined.
In the 2023 OHSAA Division III State Semifinals against Canfield South Range, Carter threw the final inning-and-a-third in relief of Howard and needed just 14 pitches to help successfully steer the Pirate ship back to the state championship game in a 6-1 victory.
In that state title matchup against Lewistown Indian Lake, Carter went 1-for-3 at the plate and was one of five different Lady Pirates that scored Wheelersburg's seven hits as Ruby's group went back-to-back with a 6-0 triumph in the 2023 OHSAA Division III State Championship Game. The Lady Pirates went an incredible 32-0, the program's best season in its illustrious history to date.
"My freshman year, I obviously thought Firestone was incredible," Carter said. "Winning a state championship was the most exciting moment of my life. But, even as excited as I was, I did not understand the gravity of winning. When we won my sophomore year, I admittedly took it for granted. We were back to back champions and it felt great, but I didn’t know any better. I celebrated, but didn’t take the time to truly appreciate the whole process. I didn’t realize just how lucky I was until my junior year, when I didn’t get to experience it. I finally realized just how incredible the experience of the state tournament was, and how huge it was to be a state champion."
Understandably naive considering how easy the success seemed to come with 59 wins to a single loss over her first two seasons, the 2024 season would bring with it a dose of humility for Carter.
Heading into an OHSAA Division III Regional Final against fellow SOC foe South Webster, Wheelersburg was 21-2 and had won 18 games by 10 runs or more.
The Lady Pirates' only losses were to Cabell Midland in the season opener (5-3) and a well-respected OHSAA state power in Thornville Sheridan (4-1), and Wheelersburg had won 12 games in a row, outscoring its opposition 192-16 during a stretch from April 22 to May 22 — which included a 4-2 win over Springfield Kenton Ridge.
With tons of talent on its own side, however, South Webster didn't back down and handed Wheelersburg a 4-3 loss. The Lady Pirates had gone to the state tournament for three consecutive years, but wouldn't be heading back for a fourth straight trip.
More determined than ever to get back to Firestone Stadium, the returning senior class of Carter, Boggs, Smith and Wright, who were all multi-year starters, sat out on a mission.
And they certainly got their point across.
Leaving nothing to chance in their wake, the Lady Pirates went a perfect 28-0 and won an incredible 21 games by at least 10 runs or more in doing so.
This included a postseason stretch where Wheelersburg outscored its opposition 63-4, including mercy rule victories over both Oak Harbor (15-2) and Baltimore Liberty Union (10-0) in five and six innings in the 2025 OHSAA Division V State Semifinals and OHSAA Division V State Championship Game.
In those contests, Carter simply played at another level.
Between the semifinals and finals, Carter threw 11 innings and needed just 114 pitches between both games to strike out 10 batters while walking only one, getting complete game victories in both starts. No. 7's bat was even more electric, as the cleanup hitter was sensational by going 4-for-8 with a home run, two doubles, six RBI and a run scored offensively.
Wheelersburg finished the season 28-0 as Carter finished her career at the top of the mountain for the third time in four seasons and as a starter on an undefeated team for the second time.
Her high school career, as well as that of her fellow teammates in Boggs, Smith and Wright, saw the Lady Pirates go 108-4 with four SOC Championships, four district titles, three trips to the OHSAA State Final Four and three rings. Carter herself was an OHSFSCA All-Ohio honoree in 2025 after posting a 0.26 ERA and hitting 13 home runs at the plate.
"My senior year changed my life," Carter said. "Going back to Firestone and winning was the most rewarding moment. I have never felt so blessed. It took me four years to truly, genuinely appreciate what I had at Wheelersburg. Looking back now, I would not change a single thing about how my high school career went. Every high and low was a blessing that taught me something I’ll carry for the rest of my life."
As Carter prepared for what was most certainly going to be a college career, she turned her focus toward what universities had the path that would best suit her growth on and off of the field.
Carter looked for a program that provided a quicker road map in pharmacy, her desired field of study, as well as a softball program that she felt had a good energy about it.
Findlay filled both needs for her.
"The main thing that drew me to Findlay was their Pharmacy program," Carter said. "During my recruitment, I started to get the idea that pharmacy is what I wanted to pursue as far as a career path. At Findlay, I would be able to complete all of my pharmacy schooling in six years rather than eight, which was a huge selling point for me. Also, my first time meeting the coaches and team was during a softball camp. I felt a really good energy coming from the team during that; like they all really liked being around each other. The same could not be said for every college I visited. Between loving the campus and it working out well both academically and athletically, I feel like Findlay is a great fit for me."
Understandably, college sports, and the sheer time that it takes to be on top of all things in it, proved to be an adjustment for Carter.
But the freshman proved to handle the road bumps quite well in her first season.
In 2026, Carter ultimately made 30 appearances with 20 starts as a designated player, and 22 appearances with 12 starts as a pitcher. Pitching-wise, the freshman went 7-2 with a 3.04 ERA in 85-and-a-third innings of work. From a hitting standpoint, Carter went 20-for-60 at the plate (.333 average) with three home runs, eight RBI and a .983 on-base-plus-slugging percentage.
Carter's efforts helped Findlay win 24 out of its last 29 games as the Oilers won its first GMAC title en route to a 39-14 overall record and a NCAA Division II Midwest Regional appearance.
"College softball was a much bigger adjustment than I could have ever prepared for. Even at the NCAA Division II level, the competition was unlike anything I’ve ever been against," Carter said. "I was definitely forced to become more mentally tough. My body has never endured the degree of workouts and practices it did in my freshman year at Findlay. I was challenged every day, and I’m grateful for it because I know it will make me better."
Her advice to girls coming up through the system? Take the opportunities that are there with the school that is the right fit in all facets, not just for softball purposes.
"If I could go back in time and talk to myself at 10 to 12 years old, I would say first that division isn’t everything," Carter said. "You can't get so caught up in going D1 that you miss another great opportunity. Second, I would say that it is not easy to get there, and it is not easy once you ARE there. It’s a constant grind, a constant push. Continuous work. Countless hours. But, it will be so worth it in the end. If you truly love the sport, it will repay your sacrifices with love and experiences. Next, be on a travel team with a coach that will advocate for you. Your travel ball coach makes a bigger difference than you probably think. During recruitment, connections and conversations are everything. College coaches care very little about the wins and losses of your team, and more about you individually. Finally, it’s important to go somewhere that you will love. Not just because it’s a nice school, is D1, or is your mom or dads favorite school. Go somewhere because you can see yourself loving it there. If you wouldn’t go to the school without softball, I wouldn’t go period."
Whatever ends up lying again for the talented thrower and designated player, she's certainly thankful for the Hall of Fame coach and staff that pushed her, as well as the teammates that supported her en route to the opportunities that she presently has now.
"Playing for Coach Ruby was a huge blessing," Carter said. "She is an incredible coach, and knows how to run a dominant program. I always appreciated the way she pushed us, but knew when to let up. She mastered the balance of focus and fun. We all love each other, and the connection we have showed on the field. I cannot speak for everyone, but I can say that there were not many days that I can say I dreaded going to practice. I loved the environment, the girls, and the staff. I will consider some of those girls I played with my close friends for the rest of my life. Wheelersburg made it easy to love the sport."
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So much so, in fact, that the famed facility, which is now over 100 years old, is essentially a second home for Carter.
It's certainly been the place where Carter has enjoyed many of her favorite softball memories.
From helping Wheelersburg hoist three OHSAA State Championships in the sport of softball and adding to the program's legacy of dominance in the game to helping NCAA Division II member Findlay win its first-ever Great Midwest Athletic Conference Championship in the famed digs this past May en route to a 39-win season and a NCAA Division II automatic bid in the national tournament as a two-way player, Carter, like many Wheelersburg softball players that have come before, during, and after her time, seems to shine the most when the lights are at their brightest.
That, however, comes from a brand recognition that Carter says is well-known, particularly for the confidence and never-say-die attitude that extends from its community to its student-athletes.
"Going to school three-and-a-half hours away and knowing my coach recognizes the name 'Wheelersburg' means everything to me," Carter said. "That's not only because of what I have done, but because of the reputation the program has built. Words can not describe the pride I have in being a Pirate."
From the very beginning of her time playing tee ball, Carter played the sport of softball, and loved the sport of softball. She's dedicated every fall and summer to the game since the age of nine.
Many people who inquire about Carter's dedication to the grind wonder how Carter does it.
Carter herself never has.
"It has been year-round for me for more of my life than it hasn’t. So many people have told me that they don’t know how I do it or have asked me if it’s worth all the sacrifices I have made for it. I say yes every single time. I would have never met a quarter of the people I’ve met through travel ball, most of which are my friends now. I would have never gained all the experiences and life lessons that I have. And, I would have never became the person I am today if not for all the time I’ve spent on softball."
Initially, Carter's dream was to play NCAA Division I college softball, because that was the softball she was seeing on cable television at the time.
That was her main goal at the time because that was all Carter knew, understandably.
As reality set in about the recruiting process, Carter chose to keep a realistic but positive outlook on her future.
"Of course then, all I saw was all the NCAA Division I players that I watched on TV. I used to think that my biggest goal in life was to play D1 softball," Carter said. "And, I was determined to get a full ride. Both of those things are much easier said than done, which I realized as I got older and went through my recruitment. In my opinion, the division you end up at is not everything. I’ve seen many great players go to small schools. Being able to play in college at any level is an achievement to be proud of. The division does not define the player."
It's that very mentality that defined Carter's career at Wheelersburg, and ultimately defined how she is remembered in the Lady Pirates' program.
In fellow NCAA Division II pitcher AndiJo Howard, Wheelersburg already had an embarassment of riches inside the circle prior to Carter's freshman season even beginning.
But the flamethrowing Carter only added to what ended up being one of the most dynamic one-two punches in recent memory from a pitching standpoint in the sport of softball.
With an embarrassment of riches from a hitting standpoint that included players like Macee Eaton, Sydney Skiver, Haley Myers, fellow freshman teammates Catie Boggs and Laken Wright and experienced and steady hands in Rileigh Lang, Kiera Kennard, Brynley Preston and Lyndsay Heimbach, the star-studded lineup was something that Carter simply added to.
Those players and more simply added focus, competitive fire and grit on top of layers of talent that were simply undeniable.
Combined with a veteran coaching staff that had already done plenty of winning even prior to the group's arrival, their eventual destiny, one could say, was already preordained.
Behind the leadership of Ohio High School Fastpitch Coaches Association (OHSFSCA) Hall of Fame head coach Teresa Ruby and her staff, Carter embarked on a career that was impressive even by Wheelersburg standards.
"(Teresa) Ruby is extremely competitive naturally, and her spirit for the game definitely has an impact on the players," Carter said. "And, it’s not just her. The rest of the coaching staff love the sport so visibly that I think the entire team felt it. The support we had from the staff was incredible. Between them and the players, I felt like the team was a machine: a bunch of individual parts that do what they need to do so the whole thing succeeds. Everyone has a mutual respect for each other and genuinely wants others to succeed, which is something I think many teams are missing."
As a freshman, Carter helped throw knockout punches when needed. She did just that in the 2022 OHSAA Division III State Championship Game against Massillon Tuslaw, needing only 26 pitches to throw two innings of scoreless relief en route to obtaining the game's final six outs and clinching Wheelersburg's second softball title in the sport.
With Preston and Heimbach gone off of that team from the starting lineup during the Lady Pirates' run to the state championship game and a 27-1 overall record, Wheelersburg had work to do to replace their valued output. But the Lady Pirates made that tough task look seamless as Ava Estep replaced Heimbach's position in left field, while Myers moved from second base to fill Preston's spot behind the plate, giving rising sophomore Emma Smith the opportunity to start at second base.
With additional playing time herself offensively as a sophomore, Carter shined.
In the 2023 OHSAA Division III State Semifinals against Canfield South Range, Carter threw the final inning-and-a-third in relief of Howard and needed just 14 pitches to help successfully steer the Pirate ship back to the state championship game in a 6-1 victory.
In that state title matchup against Lewistown Indian Lake, Carter went 1-for-3 at the plate and was one of five different Lady Pirates that scored Wheelersburg's seven hits as Ruby's group went back-to-back with a 6-0 triumph in the 2023 OHSAA Division III State Championship Game. The Lady Pirates went an incredible 32-0, the program's best season in its illustrious history to date.
"My freshman year, I obviously thought Firestone was incredible," Carter said. "Winning a state championship was the most exciting moment of my life. But, even as excited as I was, I did not understand the gravity of winning. When we won my sophomore year, I admittedly took it for granted. We were back to back champions and it felt great, but I didn’t know any better. I celebrated, but didn’t take the time to truly appreciate the whole process. I didn’t realize just how lucky I was until my junior year, when I didn’t get to experience it. I finally realized just how incredible the experience of the state tournament was, and how huge it was to be a state champion."
Understandably naive considering how easy the success seemed to come with 59 wins to a single loss over her first two seasons, the 2024 season would bring with it a dose of humility for Carter.
Heading into an OHSAA Division III Regional Final against fellow SOC foe South Webster, Wheelersburg was 21-2 and had won 18 games by 10 runs or more.
The Lady Pirates' only losses were to Cabell Midland in the season opener (5-3) and a well-respected OHSAA state power in Thornville Sheridan (4-1), and Wheelersburg had won 12 games in a row, outscoring its opposition 192-16 during a stretch from April 22 to May 22 — which included a 4-2 win over Springfield Kenton Ridge.
With tons of talent on its own side, however, South Webster didn't back down and handed Wheelersburg a 4-3 loss. The Lady Pirates had gone to the state tournament for three consecutive years, but wouldn't be heading back for a fourth straight trip.
More determined than ever to get back to Firestone Stadium, the returning senior class of Carter, Boggs, Smith and Wright, who were all multi-year starters, sat out on a mission.
And they certainly got their point across.
Leaving nothing to chance in their wake, the Lady Pirates went a perfect 28-0 and won an incredible 21 games by at least 10 runs or more in doing so.
This included a postseason stretch where Wheelersburg outscored its opposition 63-4, including mercy rule victories over both Oak Harbor (15-2) and Baltimore Liberty Union (10-0) in five and six innings in the 2025 OHSAA Division V State Semifinals and OHSAA Division V State Championship Game.
In those contests, Carter simply played at another level.
Between the semifinals and finals, Carter threw 11 innings and needed just 114 pitches between both games to strike out 10 batters while walking only one, getting complete game victories in both starts. No. 7's bat was even more electric, as the cleanup hitter was sensational by going 4-for-8 with a home run, two doubles, six RBI and a run scored offensively.
Wheelersburg finished the season 28-0 as Carter finished her career at the top of the mountain for the third time in four seasons and as a starter on an undefeated team for the second time.
Her high school career, as well as that of her fellow teammates in Boggs, Smith and Wright, saw the Lady Pirates go 108-4 with four SOC Championships, four district titles, three trips to the OHSAA State Final Four and three rings. Carter herself was an OHSFSCA All-Ohio honoree in 2025 after posting a 0.26 ERA and hitting 13 home runs at the plate.
"My senior year changed my life," Carter said. "Going back to Firestone and winning was the most rewarding moment. I have never felt so blessed. It took me four years to truly, genuinely appreciate what I had at Wheelersburg. Looking back now, I would not change a single thing about how my high school career went. Every high and low was a blessing that taught me something I’ll carry for the rest of my life."
As Carter prepared for what was most certainly going to be a college career, she turned her focus toward what universities had the path that would best suit her growth on and off of the field.
Carter looked for a program that provided a quicker road map in pharmacy, her desired field of study, as well as a softball program that she felt had a good energy about it.
Findlay filled both needs for her.
"The main thing that drew me to Findlay was their Pharmacy program," Carter said. "During my recruitment, I started to get the idea that pharmacy is what I wanted to pursue as far as a career path. At Findlay, I would be able to complete all of my pharmacy schooling in six years rather than eight, which was a huge selling point for me. Also, my first time meeting the coaches and team was during a softball camp. I felt a really good energy coming from the team during that; like they all really liked being around each other. The same could not be said for every college I visited. Between loving the campus and it working out well both academically and athletically, I feel like Findlay is a great fit for me."
Understandably, college sports, and the sheer time that it takes to be on top of all things in it, proved to be an adjustment for Carter.
But the freshman proved to handle the road bumps quite well in her first season.
In 2026, Carter ultimately made 30 appearances with 20 starts as a designated player, and 22 appearances with 12 starts as a pitcher. Pitching-wise, the freshman went 7-2 with a 3.04 ERA in 85-and-a-third innings of work. From a hitting standpoint, Carter went 20-for-60 at the plate (.333 average) with three home runs, eight RBI and a .983 on-base-plus-slugging percentage.
Carter's efforts helped Findlay win 24 out of its last 29 games as the Oilers won its first GMAC title en route to a 39-14 overall record and a NCAA Division II Midwest Regional appearance.
"College softball was a much bigger adjustment than I could have ever prepared for. Even at the NCAA Division II level, the competition was unlike anything I’ve ever been against," Carter said. "I was definitely forced to become more mentally tough. My body has never endured the degree of workouts and practices it did in my freshman year at Findlay. I was challenged every day, and I’m grateful for it because I know it will make me better."
Her advice to girls coming up through the system? Take the opportunities that are there with the school that is the right fit in all facets, not just for softball purposes.
"If I could go back in time and talk to myself at 10 to 12 years old, I would say first that division isn’t everything," Carter said. "You can't get so caught up in going D1 that you miss another great opportunity. Second, I would say that it is not easy to get there, and it is not easy once you ARE there. It’s a constant grind, a constant push. Continuous work. Countless hours. But, it will be so worth it in the end. If you truly love the sport, it will repay your sacrifices with love and experiences. Next, be on a travel team with a coach that will advocate for you. Your travel ball coach makes a bigger difference than you probably think. During recruitment, connections and conversations are everything. College coaches care very little about the wins and losses of your team, and more about you individually. Finally, it’s important to go somewhere that you will love. Not just because it’s a nice school, is D1, or is your mom or dads favorite school. Go somewhere because you can see yourself loving it there. If you wouldn’t go to the school without softball, I wouldn’t go period."
Whatever ends up lying again for the talented thrower and designated player, she's certainly thankful for the Hall of Fame coach and staff that pushed her, as well as the teammates that supported her en route to the opportunities that she presently has now.
"Playing for Coach Ruby was a huge blessing," Carter said. "She is an incredible coach, and knows how to run a dominant program. I always appreciated the way she pushed us, but knew when to let up. She mastered the balance of focus and fun. We all love each other, and the connection we have showed on the field. I cannot speak for everyone, but I can say that there were not many days that I can say I dreaded going to practice. I loved the environment, the girls, and the staff. I will consider some of those girls I played with my close friends for the rest of my life. Wheelersburg made it easy to love the sport."
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