Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

Molly Carlson has raised her production level every season since she was immediately thrust into the City High lineup as an eighth-grader in 2022.

The biggest jump in production for Carlson has come this summer and it has been the result of three elements that have gone hand in hand for the City High junior catcher – comfort, consistency and confidence.

“That early experience was so important, it’s almost like once you’ve played for an entire season it feel likes you’ve done it every day,” Carlson explained. “Seeing the same thing every day has helped me get more consistent. It’s all about reps. The more reps you get the more comfortable you get and when you get comfortable you become more confident.”

Carlson produced at a high level at the plate in her first three varsity seasons.

In those first three seasons Carlson batted a combined .322 with 19 home runs and 90 RBI – impressive numbers for an underclassmen.

Those first three seasons served as a softball education of sorts for Carlson who has proved to be a quick learner.

Carlson upped her batting average from .248 as an eighth-grader to .368 and .364 the past two seasons.

Last season Carlson had a career-high 10 home runs among 21 extra-base hits and 40 RBI.

“Confidence is huge,” Carlson said. “If you go up to the plate with confidence, as long as you go up there telling yourself you are going to hit it you are going to hit it. It might not happen the first time or the second time but you just have to build your own confidence.”

Three seasons of varsity softball has made Carlson comfortable in the batter’s box and behind the plate.

That comfort has turned to confidence which has produced a more consistent Carlson this season who has emerged as one of the best players in the state.

“I think one thing I have improved on is just my consistency,” Carlson said. “That’s something I have always wanted to improve since I was an eighth grader. The mental game and the physical game. Hitting goes really up and down, it’s a game of negatives, but this year I have really focused on keeping my hitting consistent.”

Carlson currently ranks in the top six in Class 5A in seven major statistical categories including hits, batting average, doubles, home runs, RBI, slugging percentage and OPS.

The huge season from Carlson has helped City High to a 15-9 record and a number nine ranking in Class 5A.

“I think her biggest improvement is she is hitting balls where they are pitched,” City High coach Jeff Koenig said. “She is willing to stay on the pitch.”

Carlson is hitting a career-best .518 with 11 doubles and nine home runs and leads Class 5A with 37 RBI.

She has scored 18 runs, posted a .976 slugging and 1.531 OPS and struck out five times in 90 plate appearances.

“Your confidence shouldn’t ever come from your result it should come from your process, trusting in what you do and the work you put into the game,” Carlson said. “Yeah, it might seem like the work isn’t paying off for you but it will eventually.”

As much as Carlson has improved at the plate she has made just as much growth defensively as a catcher.

Her work with the City High pitching staff has played a key role in the early season success for the Little Hawks.

“She is calling the entire game right now, I’ve basically turned her loose,” Koenig said. “Her understanding of the game and what hitters are trying to do, she is figuring that out and she is our most vocal and our leader. Our catchers have always been our leaders at City High and she has stepped right into that role and directs traffic for us.”

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