By By Lindsey Sherrill
Staff writer
They are all polite, intelligent, charming young ladies. But watch out world, these girls mean business on the playing field.
Three softball players from area high schools have been named to top honors for their skills. Cassie Lassiter of Escambia County High School, Cassie Godwin and Summer Pilgrim of Northview High School have all been recognized recently for their prowess.
Lassiter, who just completed her sophomore year at ECHS, was selected to the Mobile Register's Super Twelve All-area softball team, along with players from Baker, St. Paul's, Faith Academy, Theodore and Mary G. Montgomery. The honor has been a long time coming for Lassiter, 16.
"I've played ball all my life," she said. "I even played (baseball) with the boys for a bit."
She played both pitcher and shortstop for the Lady Devils this season, racking up some impressive statistics. Lassiter had a batting average of .365 for the season with two home runs. She pitched 235 innings for a record of 19-16 while striking out 301 batters. Her ERA was 1.20.
Lassiter credits her father for much of her success. "If it wasn't for my Dad I wouldn't be where I am today," she said. "Dad's helped me with my pitching and hitting."
When asked if she planned to continue her softball career, Lassiter replied, "Definitely. I hope I can get a scholarship to play college ball."
Lassiter plans to study law at the University of Alabama. She is the daughter of Rusty and Sonya Lassiter of Atmore.
The two players from Northview were each selected by the Florida Sports Writers Association and the Pensacola News Journal.
Godwin, a sophomore at Northview, was selected to the FSWA All-State third team. She was also selected to the Pensacola News Journal's All-area first team.
Godwin played varsity softball for the Lady Chiefs for both her freshman and sophomore years. She had the highest batting average on the team both years and the second highest in both Santa Rosa and Escambia . County, Fla. this season
Godwin, who plays the outfield, has plenty of excellent stats to back her honors. She batted .443 this year with three triples, four doubles, a .518 on base percentage, 31 runs scored, and 21 RBI. She also made five defensive assists.
It was those statistics that earned her spot on the all area team.
"Cassie had one of the highest batting averages for an outfielder that we saw," said Jim Scavino, prep sports writer for the News Journal and head of the selection committee for the all area team.
The All-state selection came as quite a surprise for Godwin and her family.
"We all knew about the all-area, but when the all-state got out we were all like, 'What?'" said Godwin.
Godwin, who is also a member of Who's Who and the U.S. Achievement Academy, a varsity cheerleader, class treasurer and an A/B honor student, is currently playing softball with Extreme Velocity, a traveling 18 and under team from Pensacola.
She hopes to play college softball after finishing her high school career.
"I would love to," she says. "It's been my dream since I was really little."
Godwin is the daughter of Lamar and Rene Godwin of Walnut Hill.
Another Lady Chief, Summer Pilgrim, was also selected by the FSWA as an All-state Honorable Mention as well as a Pensacola News Journal All-area second team player.
Pilgrim, a recent graduate of Northview, has played only one year for the Chiefs. She transferred from Tate High School where she had previously played softball.
"I've actually been playing softball for 11 years, " said Pilgrim.
Her stats included 19 complete games for the season with 130 strikeouts and an incredible .93 ERA.
For Scavino, it was Pilgrim's highs strike out total combined with the low number of runs she allowed, less than one per game, that earned her spot on the all-area team.
"And she had 19 complete games," he said.
In addition to her sports activities, she was eighth in her graduating class, a member of the Interact Club, and an Atmore Rotary Club Academic All-Star. She plans to attend the University of South Alabama where she has a volleyball scholarship. Pilgrim is the daughter of Bob and Jeanne Pilgrim of Cantonment.