Hawkins Gamer of the Week Honors
Teays Physical Therapy Center, Inc. and The Putnam Herald are pleased to present this week’s Female Gamer of the Week to Sophomore Zoie Hawkins of the Buffalo High School softball team.
For Buffalo High School sophomore Zoie Hawkins, softball isn’t just a sport it’s a way of life. As the team’s ace pitcher, Hawkins has become the heartbeat of the Bison roster, known for her relentless work ethic, calm under pressure, and a fastball that has silenced more than 150 batters this season.
Logging more innings than anyone on the team, Hawkins finished the year with a 15-5 record and an eye-popping 153 strikeouts. When the stakes were highest, she delivered, pitching every inning of the sectional tournament and leading Buffalo through one of its most hard-fought playoff runs in recent memory. “I just want to give my team the best chance to win,” Hawkins said. “When it’s all on the line, I trust my preparation and my teammates.”
Her journey in the sport started early. Encouraged by her mother to try different activities, Hawkins picked up a glove at the age of four and started in tee-ball. “Softball was my favorite from the start,” she said. “I stuck with it and never looked back.” That early passion has grown into a tireless commitment. In addition to her dominant role as a pitcher, Hawkins was recently added to the batting lineup a move that reflects her growing versatility and drive to contribute in every way possible.
Buffalo’s season wasn’t without challenges. Injuries forced players into unfamiliar roles, but Hawkins credits the team’s success to resilience and strong leadership from the coaching staff. “A lot of us had to step up,” she said. “Our coaches really push us. They expect more and we respond.”
Two of her biggest role models, Greg Garber and Coach Jackie Scott, have been instrumental in her development. “They don’t take it easy on me,” Hawkins said. “They push me every day, and that’s helped me grow not just as a pitcher, but as a person.”
Off the field, Hawkins is just as driven. She’s a member of the Buffalo High School Marching Band, FFA, and Ridge Runners 4-H Club in Cabell County. She plays travel softball with WV Insanity, where she also plays first base, and shows livestock at the county fair, a hobby that connects her love for animals with a strong sense of responsibility.
She’s also a mentor in the Ewe and Me Program, where she partners with individuals with special needs to raise and show lambs at the Putnam County Fair. It’s a role she takes seriously. “It’s about more than showing animals,” she said. “It’s about building relationships and helping someone else succeed.”
Despite her long list of activities, Hawkins remains focused on improving her game. “My goal right now is to get stronger and be an even better pitcher,” she said. “I want to help get our team back to states.” Looking ahead, she’s still exploring her post high school plans, but knows that both animals and softball will likely be part of the picture. “I think I’d like to go into animal care,” she said. “And hopefully, I can keep playing softball too.”
Please look for other local high school athletes to be named in next week’s Female Gamer of the Week Sponsored by Teays Physical Therapy Center, Inc. and The Putnam Herald.
MEGAN SCARBERRY, MS, CPT, POTENTIAL PLUS INSTRUCTOR AT TEAYS PHYSICAL THERAPY CENTER INC.