Bowie junior first baseman Cadie Hays

Faces off the field gives a deep look into the thoughts and lives of high school student-athletes in the Austin area. Today we feature Bowie junior first baseman Cadie Hays, whose hobby of hunting whitetail deer began when she was three years old.

All about Cadie: summers are for reunions

What are you looking forward to the most this summer?

Getting back with my select team Buzz Gold 16U. All my select teammates live far from me, so I don’t get to see them as much as I’d like. They are all some of my closest friends and I love getting to play with them because they know how to have fun while playing at a highly competitive level.

Tell something about you that most people don’t know.

I love deer hunting. Hunting whitetail deer is something I have done since I was 3. I used to go hunting with my dad out in Lampasas, but these past few years we have been hunting at our family ranch in Dripping Springs. Last fall I shot a buck (on) opening weekend and it was the biggest kill on the ranch in awhile.

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If a caveman lived in modern times, what do you think would impress him the most?

Technology. We’re spoiled with how much it has simplified things we do every day and he wouldn’t have to think or work as hard.

If you could attend any concert, who would you see?

I want to see Chris Stapleton because I’ve never seen him in concert before and I love his music. He’s one of my favorite music artists. His songs and his voice are amazing. My favorite song is “What Am I Gonna Do.”

Rounding the bases against Lake Travis a big thrill

What is your favorite Bowie softball memory?

In my sophomore year, we were in the third round of (the) playoffs against Lake Travis and it was the sixth inning and we were down by one, and I hit a solo home run to tie up the game. Everybody was so hyped and excited for me and I felt like I was a momentum changer.

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Do you have any game-day rituals?

Before each game I pray with my teammates. This pregame moment with my team allows us to glorify God, who has blessed us with the ability to play this sport that we all love.

Has softball taught you any lessons you apply to daily life?

Softball has taught me how to slow things down. Oftentimes during softball games and in life, things can feel so fast and chaotic. Lately I’ve been focusing on slowing down, taking in the moment and taking on whatever is happening one step at a time.

If you could compete in the Olympics in any sport other than softball, what would you like to do?

I would choose to play volleyball. I love playing sand volleyball with my friends. Plus it’s such a fun sport to watch because of the constant action.

Dream dinner: You can see it all on YouTube

If you could have dinner with any four people in the history of the world, who would they be?

I would have dinner with Hayden Christensen, Khloe Kardashian, (YouTube vlogger) Danny Duncan and Taylor Kitsch.

Taylor Kitsch?

I chose Taylor Kitsch because the show “Friday Night Lights” is one of my favorite TV shows and his character Tim Riggins was my favorite. He was mysterious and an underdog in life. 

You’re in charge of the menu. What are you serving?

 I would choose breakfast tacos because my dad makes the best breakfast tacos ever and I’d have no problem feeding that to everyone.

— Rick Cantu

Our other Austin-area softball interviews

Hyde Park P Alexandra Akins, Round Rock P Jillian Bensman, Pflugerville P/C Lauryn Jackson, Cedar Park P Ellie Massey and Westlake P Caitlin Patterson, Hays 3B Hailey Ruiz and Pflugerville 1B Noemie Jackson.