Stepping onto the field this fall will feel a little different for Payton Mills. Now a senior for Weatherford softball, she knows her role isn’t just about fielding grounders or delivering key hits—it’s about leadership. “Better batting average and being a positive teammate,” Mills said. “Being a senior, I want to be a leader on the team.”

Coming off a state championship season, the Lady Eagles entered the offseason with a renewed sense of purpose. According to Mills, the team understood the importance of chemistry. “We set the bar high winning the state championship last year,” she said. “This offseason, we’ve really focused on becoming more of a team. We’ve been spending a lot of time in the bat barn and several girls have been playing travel ball all summer.”

That effort has already paid off in a noticeable way. “I think the biggest improvement is becoming more bonded as a team,” Mills explained. That bond, combined with experience, is a major reason why she’s optimistic about the season ahead. “I think returning the majority of our starters is huge. We lost some great talent and leadership, but people are stepping into those roles and doing great.”

The team is taking a focused and deliberate approach to their goals. “We of course would like to make it back to state,” Mills said. “We have different times for groups to practice their positions and really work individually to get more work in. We are focused on taking each game one at a time. If we play up to our potential and give each game 100 percent effort, we as a team can reach our goals.”

On the field, Mills splits her time between first and third base, always scanning the defense. “I look for where there are gaps and study pitchers to see what tendencies they have in certain situations,” she said. As game time approaches, preparation is key. “I really make sure I’m warm and stretched out, focusing on good throws during warm-ups.”

Her mindset? Simple but powerful. “Do everything for God and the team around you, and just overall have confidence.”

As for the legacy she hopes to leave behind? “I want to be someone who they say was positive and worked hard and encouraged everyone around them.” After high school, Mills plans to attend cosmetology school—but first, she’s chasing another gold ball with her team.