MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Clay-Battelle High School softball team has already left its mark on Cee Bee’s history by advancing to the softball state tournament for the first time and now have plans to add to that legacy this week in Vienna.
Clay-Battelle (25-2) opens play at the state tournament Wednesday against Greenbrier West.
“We looked at some of the sectional plaques in the trophy case and I started asking girls if they remember players off those teams,” said Head Coach Butch Varner. “We talked about that and we talked about leaving our legacy.”
The Cee Bees and Varner have put their trust in pitcher Caitlyn Kassay all season long. It was her dominant performance that lifted the Cee Bees over regional opponent Moorefield in the decisive game three.
“She works all year long at it.” Varner said about his young starter who boasts a record of 17-2 on the season. “But the biggest thing that has occured with her is the ability to control the game inside her head.”
Caitlyn was certainly in control against Moorefield going the distance for the win and striking out 13.
It wasn’t just established heros that got the job done for the Cee Bees in th regional win. Varner recalled that a year ago, sophomore Camron Watson was struggling to even make contact in the batting cage. Flash forward to the regional final a year later and it was Cameron Watson’s go ahead RBI hit in the 5th inning that gave the Cee Bees the win.
“I talked to my team this week about being together, being determined, not being too high, and not being too low, and enjoying the experience. I think all of those are keys to being succesful.”
The Cee Bees will put that success to the test on Wednesday against 21-5 Greenbrier East.
Story by Luke Wiggs