Watkins Memorial’s Cassady shut down state’s best softball lineups
PATASKALA — Mike Jellison increased the level of difficulty in the Watkins Memorial softball schedule with the intention of challenging his hitters against many of the state’s best pitchers.
Jellison could do it because he had an ace in his back pocket. Watkins sophomore right-hander Carsyn Cassady took on all comers this season, and she helped the Warriors beat nearly everyone.
“The pressure wasn’t the same because freshman year you are a lot younger, and I was really nervous. As a sophomore, I was in the spotlight already being the second year going through it, and I was more prepared for what to expect,” Cassady said. “For me personally, it was a challenge to face these top-tier teams. They were more like travel teams, and I knew I had to be more focused. I wanted to see if I could get them out.”
Despite a Who’s Who on a schedule, which not only included the Licking County League meat grinder but also four teams that played in the state tournament, Cassady posted eye-popping numbers. She was 27-2 with a 0.95 ERA with 307 strikeouts in 169 innings.
Cassady is The Advocate Softball Pitcher of the Year. She previously was the LCL-Buckeye Player of the Year and named to the All-Ohio Division I first team.
“There are not enough words to express how phenomenal Carsyn is as a pitcher. She makes my job easy as a catcher,” Watkins sophomore catcher Jordyn Wycuff said. “She hits spots with every pitch. She throws very hard consistently, but her spin is what challenges each hitter the most.”
Cassady allowed five earned runs in LCL play, pitching the Warriors to their second consecutive unbeaten run through league play. That was capped with five consecutive shutouts, highlighted by a two-hit, 15-strikeout performance in six innings against Buckeye runner-up Licking Valley.
Jellison said Cassady averaged around 64 to 65 mph with her fastball, up a couple ticks from her freshman season. She improved her consistency with her rise ball and changeup.
“When her changeup is on, she is almost unhittable," Jellison said. "It’s that good.”
Cassady was equal opportunity at shutting opponents down. She struck out 13 in a 1-0 victory against John Glenn and 16 in a 5-1 victory against eventual Division III regional champion Cardington.
Watkins hitters knew they did not have to score many for Cassady. Taylor Gerhardt and Hannah Hunt opened the regional final with a bang against Lancaster, hitting back-to-back home runs, and Cassady did the rest as the Warriors claimed a 3-1 victory to return to state.
“I personally like them to be lower-scoring games because those are the most fun to be in,” Cassady said. “They are high-pressure situations.”
Cassady is visiting colleges this summer, but she still has two more seasons at Watkins. She will attempt to put the Warriors’ pitching records out of sight while pursuing the program’s first state championship.
Jellison said Cassady will not be resting on her laurels. She is working with a personal trainer this offseason and has a goal of hitting 70 mph by her senior season in 2024.
“She is going to get in the weight room to get stronger because she wants to throw harder,” Jellison said. “She is going to keep working because that is just the type of kid she is.”
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Carsyn Cassady is The Advocate Softball Pitcher of the Year.
