Now a senior, Cannon's purpose extends far beyond the diamond
Trisha Ford and the Fightin’ Texas Aggie softball team return to Davis Diamond on Friday to open the 2024 season with the Aggie Classic. We’re looking ahead to the upcoming season with our 2024 Texas A&M Softball Preview Series.
Texas A&M softball aims to build off the foundation head coach Trisha Ford set in her first year by utilizing integral senior players.
Forney native and senior infielder Trinity Cannon has played softball since she was four and fell in love with the rush it gives her.
“This life doesn’t last forever, but these girls and these memories do,” Cannon said.
A noted power hitter, Cannon is a proven commodity at the plate for the Maroon & White.
Entering her final season, she has amassed 103 hits, 19 home runs and 91 RBIs in a three-year career. Last year, Cannon slugged .528 with a .310 average and 41 runs scored.
As Ford enters her second year at A&M, Cannon said the team’s mindset and details are different from the previous year.
With hosting a regional among the Aggies’ top goals, Cannon & Co. welcomed that challenge through hard work.
“I think we just buy in so well,” Cannon said. “We all know what our end goal is, and we’re working towards that every single day. It’s in the little details of picking up a ball, going to Slocum together or going to dinner after practice on Saturday. Just doing the little things that are going to help us on the field.”
During the first week of practice in January, Ford introduced War Games to this year’s club – a challenging but fun team-building exercise that included groups of five or six players who created a team name and competed in a costume contest each day.
While not all fun and games, Cannon and her teammates ran three miles on the treadmill, five miles on the bike and completed a 5,000-meter row.
“I think with these War Games, when you go through that grind, the hard times, that’s what really bonds a team together,” Cannon said.
Still, Cannon said War Games was a valuable experience because it cultivated off-the-field relationships that will translate onto the diamond.
“When you put a bunch of softball players in a competition against each other, it’ll get a little feisty,” Cannon said. “But at the end of the day, we all came back together, and I think that’s why we are so much of a family and best friends.”
During the less-taxing portion of War Games, each group had to compete in a bake-off and talent show.
Cannon’s team was assigned the colors blue and pink, so they baked gender-reveal-themed cupcakes while also singing “Since You’ve Been Gone” from “Pitch Perfect” for the talent portion.
“It taught me a lot about who my teammates are and how they’re going to push me,” Cannon said.
Beyond the love for her teammates, other personal factors push Cannon toward success on the field.
Ultimately, Cannon strives to use softball as an avenue to glorify God and wears No. 6 in remembrance of her late friend, Emily Galiano.
Cannon uses the motivation and significance of her number to play every game like it could be her last.
“I’ve [always] used softball as my platform to glorify God ever since I’ve grown up,” Cannon said.
Faith will continue to guide her, even after her playing days are through.
“I’ve got to do a lot of networking with companies and donors just getting to know them and learn what the business world looks like,” Cannon said. “I feel more guided towards working the books for a small company.”
Given her off-the-field accolades, that should come as no surprise.
Following a mission trip to the Dominican Republic for Texas A&M athletes, Cannon earned a spot on the SEC Community Service Team. While serving in the Dominican, Cannon demonstrated her passion for softball to the communities she visited.
“There were a lot of families that would cry, and it would just make my heart so happy that they were so grateful,” Cannon said. “Just getting to know the kids there was just so heartwarming.”
Still, playing in front of the 12th Man in one of college softball’s best atmospheres is what Cannon will miss the most about Aggie softball. While accolades and statistics are nice, Cannon wants to be remembered for her selfless service after she leaves Davis Diamond.
“I make it a point to find every single little girl to give an autograph to,” Cannon said. “Not to make myself feel better, but because I was in their shoes at one time. Giving back to them can make or break their dreams.”
“I make it a point to go and talk to the little girls and let them know that this is the most fun I have ever had.”
In that way, she’s helping create memories for the next generation as well.