Thursday, June 9, 2011

Alex. Central's Wilkinson repeats as N.C. Gatorade softball player of the year

Alexander Central softball pitcher Chelsea Wilkinson is the N.C. Gatorade Player of the Year for the second straight year.

The 5-foot-10 junior right-handed pitcher, now a finalist for Gatorade's national award, led the Cougars (31-2) to the Class 4A state championship this past season. Wilkinson posted a 31-2 with a 0.66 ERA and 370 strikeouts in 212 innings pitched.

Most Valuable Player of the state championship series in 2009 and 2011, she batted .358 with seven home runs and 34 RBI this spring. Wilkinson is a two-time Charlotte Observer Player of the Year and has twice been named a Second Team High School All-American by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

Wilkinson has maintained a 3.88 GPA in the classroom. Also a talented musician, she has volunteered locally on behalf of Christmas toy drives for needy children and fundraising campaigns to benefit cancer research.

“Wilkinson is very, very good,” said Wayne Deans, head coach of rival D.H. Conley High. “She’s not easily rattled and she has great command of any pitch she wants to throw.”

1 comments:

James Strum said...

Great! Great! Great!