LUMBERTON — Playing catcher is the only position that Kasey West really knows, playing it her entire softball career starting back when she was nine years old.
In that position that is well-known for toughness, West has been a standout behind the plate for the Lumberton softball team. And thanks to her output on the field, West will continue her softball career and fulfill a dream she had ever since she first picked up a catcher’s mitt as she signed her letter of intent to play college softball at Pitt Community College next season.
“That was the first position I played,” West said. “I like it because I get the ball 24/7.”
“I’m happy to go because this gives me another chance to play ball again.”
West has twice been named all-state as a sophomore and junior for the Pirates and goes to a program where former teammates Kailey and Summer Prevatte signed in 2016.
West has been a strong bat in the Lady Pirates lineup in the last two seasons with 39 hits as a sophomore and 38 hits as a junior. She has batted a combined .436 in the last two seasons, with 37 RBIs as a reliable top-of-the-lineup hitter.
Lumberton softball coach Mackie Register said that toughness that West possesses is an asset she can bring to the college level.
“She’s a very tough player and has played through a lot of injuries behind the plate,” he said. “You’ve got to be tough to play back there. She’s a really good base runner and bats lead-off for us and gets on base well.”
Behind the plate, West threw out 63 percent of base runners trying to steal on her last year.
The coaching staff at Pitt Community College made West feel comfortable as she went on visits this offseason. As for her future plans, they are still up in the air and West thinks playing for the Bulldogs will be the right fit.
“They practice a lot and they said they will help me with my work,” West said. “I hope I get to go somewhere else. I wanted to go to a two-year school and see how I like college softball.”
Pitt Community College is coming off back-to-back NJCAA World Series appearances and has won 25 or more games in each of the last four seasons.
“I feel like I can be good. They will work with you with your hitting and catching,” West said.
Business is still at hand for West and the rest of the talented senior class at Lumberton coming off three straight trips to at least the second round of the NCHSAA state softball playoffs.
“Since we’ve got all these girls that have signed, I think we should be pretty good,” West said. “We all are good and play good together. … I just want to keep my high batting average.”
