NEWTON, N.C. — Fred T. Foard High School senior right-handed pitcher/infielder Karsyn Sigmon has been a perennial threat with the varsity softball program for the last three years.
Her impact has been felt in several facets of the game because she received her competitive edge and love for softball at an early age due to her father.
“My dad played baseball in college [at Appalachian State] and professionally, so I grew up around the sport,” she said. “At first, I played mostly because my parents wanted me to and because all of my friends did. I was really just there for fun. As I got older and improved, I realized how much I truly enjoy playing the sport and embracing the competitiveness that comes with it — not just the fun and friendships. My dad has always told me that I am capable of playing at the next level if I believe in myself.
“I would say eighth grade was when I realized I wanted to take softball seriously and possibly continue playing after high school. Mickey Bolick was the first coach I played for, besides my dad, who truly had confidence in me and believed I was capable of playing at the highest level. Playing for him in eighth grade was the first time I realized what I could accomplish. Competing in travel ball against athletes committed to top programs in the nation, like Oklahoma, gave me the confidence to know I can compete at that level.”
The chemistry between a pitcher and catcher is paramount for a successful partnership on the field. During her tenure at Foard, she’s been able to rely on a pair of standout catchers.
Sigmon initially competed alongside all-time North Carolina prep softball great Riley Vogel during her underclassmen years in 2023 and 2024. Following her graduation, she was able to have a similar dynamic with one of her longtime best friends, Alivia “Livi” Queen in 2025.
Sigmon finished her freshman season going 9-3 on the mound in 16 appearances. She earned two saves and pitched a pair of complete games. In 83 innings pitched, she amassed 112 strikeouts and 25 walks while allowing 74 hits and 24 earned runs (2.02 earned run average).
As an infielder, Sigmon had a fielding percentage of 94 (31 putouts in 33 total chances). She also thrived on offense; in the batter’s box, she obtained 31 hits in 68 at-bats (a .456 batting average) which included nine doubles and two triples. She obtained 33 RBI, which was ranked in the top 100 in the state, and 16 runs scored.
The Lady Tigers finished the 2023 campaign with a 15-5 overall record, along with a 12-2 mark in the Western Foothills 3A Conference (2nd place in the standings).
Shining right out of the gate led to Sigmon’s first All-Western Foothills 3A Conference selection, as well as her first North Carolina Softball Coaches Association (NCSBCA) 3A All-District 7 and 3A All-State selections. She was also named the 3A All-District 7 Pitcher of the Year.
The following season, Sigmon only continued to improve her play as she went 13-4 in 19 appearances on the mound. In 102.1 innings pitched, she obtained 122 strikeouts and 29 walks while allowing 39 hits and 18 earned runs. Her 1.23 ERA was good for 30th place in North Carolina.
She accrued a .931 fielding percentage with 27 putouts in 29 total chances and netted her first double play putout in a 8-0 victory over St. Stephens on May 2, 2024.
In 61 at-bats, Sigmon corralled 28 hits including 13 doubles and a triple, finishing with a .459 batting average. She also notched 29 RBI, 18 runs scored and connected on her first career home run in an 18-0 win over Statesville on March 25, 2024.
Her successful campaign once again led to an All-WFAC selection and her first WFAC Pitcher of the Year honors. She obtained her second 3A All-District 7 and All-State nods, as well as her second All-District 7 Pitcher of the Year Award.
Foard finished the 2024 season with a 14-5 overall mark. The Lady Tigers earned a 12-2 conference record and were crowned WFAC Champions. This was also the final season of the illustrious career of Riley Vogel.
“Riley [Vogel] was a great teammate to have as an underclassman,” said Sigmon. “She always played 100% and never stooped to the level of the competition. I learned from her to always give my full effort — even if I felt like I could win giving only 50%. Having Riley in the lineup enhanced my confidence and allowed me to relax in the circle. Knowing I had someone I could rely on to get on base and score consistently is something every pitcher wants.”
Transitioning from an athlete the caliber of Vogel, Sigmon still had a solid replacement in the form of three-time All-Western Foothills 3A Conference selection, Livi Queen. Additionally, Queen was named to the 3A All-State team in 2024, as well as to the 3A All-District 7 team twice.
“The adjustments with Livi came naturally because we have been playing together for a long time. She has been my catcher in travel ball and even comes to catch my pitching lessons,” said Sigmon. “We have a great relationship on and off the field, which strengthens our pitcher-catcher dynamic. She has been an excellent catcher and an even better teammate.
“Our connection has always been strong because she is one of my best friends. We know when each other needs encouragement, and she always knows how to make me smile in high-stress situations. We have known each other since sixth grade and have played together ever since.”
Queen, in her new role as the leader behind the plate in 2025, finished with a fielding percentage of 100 percent with 15 putouts in 15 total chances.
At-bat 69 times, she mounted a .449 batting average as she collected 31 hits including six doubles, a triple and a homer. She also earned a team-best 27 runs scored and 12 RBI. She also had a keen knack for stealing bases, obtaining 26 (which was ranked in 2nd place in the Division 3A West and No. 28 in the state).
This earned Queen a spot on the 3A All-District 7 team for the second consecutive season (2024-2025).
During her 3A All-State run in 2024, Queen finished with a .982 fielding percentage including 110 putouts and an assisted putout in 113 total chances.
She had a career-high batting average of .468. In 62 at-bats, she amassed 29 hits which included six doubles and four triples. She also scored 25 runs, had 17 RBI and 24 stolen bases.
As for Sigmon, during her junior campaign last season, she garnered 13 wins on the mound while collecting her career-best ERA of .51 (eight earned runs). She struck out a career-high 147 batters in 110 innings pitched.
Sigmon continued to shine in the batter’s box, as well. She netted a .433 batting average as she earned 29 hits in 67 at-bats. This included five doubles, a career-best five triples and a career-high two dingers. She also scored 18 runs.
She was once again named an All-WFAC selection and a two-time Conference Pitcher of the Year. She became a 3A All-District 7 Pitcher of the Year for a third consecutive season, in addition to her third-straight 3A All-State selection.
“It’s something I am incredibly grateful for. I am constantly competing with myself and striving to improve every aspect of my game,” she said. “Receiving these awards three years in a row is not only a testament to my ability but also to my discipline and hard work.
“Sustaining that level of performance over multiple seasons takes focus, sacrifice, and a willingness to improve even when things aren’t going well. Ultimately, my team’s success is far more important than my individual accomplishments. I will always cherish the friendships and memories from this sport far more than any individual award.”
Foard finished the year with a 13-10 overall record, as well as a 10-4 WFAC mark (3rd place in the conference standings).
Sigmon’s career marks consist of a .449 batting average, a 1.25 ERA and 381 strikeouts at pitcher, along with a .932 fielding percentage as an infielder.
When it comes to being a well-rounded athlete, she said that she gives all of the credit to her dad.
“He has always pushed me to be a fierce competitor in every aspect of the game,” she said. “He coached me to be athletic and versatile enough to play anywhere on the field. I am also driven by my love for the sport. I don’t just love pitching or just hitting — I love it all. I enjoy knowing I can make an impact no matter what.
“As a pitcher, every other aspect of the game feels less stressful, and I thrive in the batter’s box and in the field because those are the moments when I truly have fun. I don’t put as much pressure on myself in those situations as I do when I’m pitching.
“I also value being able to bounce back if I don’t have my best performance in the circle. Having the ability to hit and play other positions while still helping lead my team to wins is very important to me. I’ve been putting in a lot of work to become a true two-way player in college, which motivates me even more to compete in all areas of the game.”
On Nov. 12, 2025, Sigmon and Queen signed their national letters of intent to play collegiate softball at Wofford College and Lenoir-Rhyne University, respectively.
The first home game for the Lady Tigers in their final season together will be on Feb. 26, 2026, against Draughn.
“As a team, our goal is to finish at the top of our conference — that’s always the main objective,” said Sigmon of her final prep softball year. “It’s also exciting to make a deep postseason run. Most importantly, though, we need to focus on having fun.
“Too often, we get caught up in wins and losses and forget why we’re here in the first place — because we love the game. Personally, I want to focus more on the quality of my performance rather than just wins, losses, or statistics.
“As I approach the start of my college career, I want to continue improving the movement of my pitches and my aggressiveness at the plate so I can succeed at the collegiate level. Right now, I’m focused on proving myself at the next level while also enjoying my final season with some of my best friends.”
When this chapter of her story is closed, Sigmon said that she hopes she will have left a positive impact as a Lady Tiger.
“I want to be remembered as a hardworking competitor, but most importantly, as someone who had fun. Enjoying the game is the most important part of it,” she said. “At times, I have put so much pressure on myself that I forgot why I love playing. I hope younger players learn that sports do not define who you are — it’s simply something you do.
“You will always perform better when you’re having fun. I hope I leave behind a legacy of joy: cheering as loud as you can, celebrating every hit, dancing and laughing with your teammates in the dugout. Yes, hold yourself accountable when you make a mistake — but then move on. No one is perfect, and mistakes are part of the game. You will never be flawless on the field, but you can always work hard and have fun.”
