DAVIS, Calif. – In the realm of Division I softball, it's a rarity to witness three athletes hailing from the same town come together as teammates. Yet, Grace Kilday, Leah Polson, and Caroline Grimes defy the odds.

Their journey began in their formative years, and now, as UC Davis Aggies, they continue to share the field, a testament to their enduring camaraderie and shared passion for the game.
 
"I'm just super grateful that we ended up at the same place," Kilday said.
 
Kilday and Polson, once high school teammates at Oak Ridge High School in nearby El Dorado Hills, have forged a lasting bond on the softball diamond. Their journey began with the California Breeze, a prestigious travel softball organization that has produced some of the state's finest talent. It was there that Grimes joined forces with Kilday, forming a formidable trio.
  "I always knew I wanted to stay close to home," Grimes said. "I didn't know where I was going to end up, but it's nice because my parents have the opportunity to come to games so often."
 
Their shared aspiration was clear: to compete at the highest level of collegiate softball. After making waves during their prep careers, all three athletes enjoyed the distinct opportunity to play together at UC Davis. The synergy they developed during their formative years has translated seamlessly to the Division I stage.
 
Polson has been a four-year standout as a position player at UC Davis, emerging as one of the program's best hitters at the top of the order. However, in her high school years, she impressed in the circle. She connected with Kilday when the duo quickly became the regular battery for the Trojans, creating a bond that would extend to the college ranks.

"In high school, I pitched and Grace was the catcher, that's how we got so close," Polson said. "It was a running joke that [Grace] would become an Aggie because I became an Aggie. I guess we didn't think it would happen, but it happened."

"We had some great memories pitching and catching in high school," Kilday said. "Leah pitched a whole game and we ended up winning…there were so many great memories. We always did everything together in high school, it was so much fun."
 
Kilday and Grimes dealt with much adversity during the uncertainty of the pandemic but managed to maintain their relationship through off-season workouts to stay sharp on the diamond. The duo also navigated the unorthodox recruiting process together, helping each other showcase their skills to various Division I programs in the hopes of receiving an offer.
  "We pushed each other and worked so hard during that time," Kilday said. "We had to find a unique way to showcase ourselves during that time of uncertainty, so we would get extra work in, take videos, and post to social media to attract the attention of coaches."
 
Grimes, a right-hander on the UC Davis pitching staff, also became battery mates with Kilday before her collegiate softball career. Following practices or even games, the two would often connect for bullpen sessions. Grimes recorded recruiting videos during these sessions, a practice that is essential to the modern-day recruiting process.

As the sun sets on their collegiate softball careers, these three remarkable athletes are poised to embark on distinct professional paths. Polson is charting a course toward a master's degree in nursing. Her journey begins this August, as she diligently works toward her goal of becoming a registered nurse within a year, and perhaps a nurse practitioner thereafter.

Kilday looks towards a similar path with her sights set on nursing school. The shared camaraderie that blossomed during their high school and travel softball days continues to shape their futures. Meanwhile, Grimes, a sophomore majoring in managerial economics, still has some time to decide her future. Her aspirations lean toward the realm of finance, envisioning a future as a certified public accountant.

Together the pair have blazed a path on the softball field and proudly worn the Blue & Gold.