BY WENDI REARDON PRICE
Clarkston News Sports Writer
Hannah Cady is looking forward to going to to Huntington Beach, California, for the second consecutive year to play softball.
Cady and her teammates from Finesse 18U Rex played in the Crown Point No. 2, a Premier Girls Fastpitch qualifier, in Indiana, June 21-23.
“We won that one now we get to play in California against some of the best competition,” she said about the upcoming PGF Nationals, July 20-27.
Cady recently finished her junior and third season as catcher with the Clarkston Varsity Softball team. The Wolves finished in the Final Four after winning the OAA Red league title, district championship, regional championship and defeated Hartland in the quarterfinals.

“We came out strong,” she said about the season. “Our whole team was awesome. We all came together especially this year. We were all working hard together.”
Cady, along with the Class of 2020, have won the district title, regional title and finished in the Elite Eight and Final Four during their three years on the varsity team. She said their bond helps especially now.
“We know each other’s strengths and weaknesses,” she added “We can really help each other on every part of our game. It helps us to become better as individuals. Then, we ended up playing a lot better as the years go on.”
During her junior year she was named All-State with teammates Sierra Kersten, Abbey Tolmie and Olivia Warrington. Cady was also named First Team All-American Cather by Extra Innings Softball.
She also marked the season with 200-plus career hits. She also had a .554 batting average in the season with eight homeruns and 77 RBIs.
One of her goals going into her senior year is winning the MHSAA Division 1 Softball State Championship.
“It’s been our goal for the past three years. We just want this one final season we can push and possibly make it there,” she said.
Cady began playing softball when she was in elementary school and it was natural as her mom played softball and her dad played baseball.
She added she enjoys being around the girls and having fun with the sport.
“Just the excitement that comes from winning the game or getting a hit, it draws you in more and being with a bunch of girls,” she said. “It’s just awesome in the sense of the team and working together.”
She got into the pitching position when she was little.
“I just picked it up,” she said. “I think my dad had something to do with it. With catcher you get to touch the ball every play. You are just in the game a lot. You are almost in control of the infield in a way. It drew me in as I was a part of almost every play. It was a fun way to it.”
She is committed to continue her softball career at Northwestern University where the mix of academics and the team caught her attention.
“It’s a really good school and the campus is awesome. It was just the perfect fit,” Cady said, adding she would like to study something in pre-medicine or biology.
When she isn’t playing softball or volleyball she enjoys painting, being creative with crafts and baking.
Her advice to aspiring athletes is to work hard and never give up even when struggling.

  AOW, Athlete of the Week