McGaha Finishes Season On the Right Note
When opponents see Cassie McGaha warming up, they know they’re facing some tough competition. Having played varsity the past four years, she knows the game well and is not about to back down for anyone. Loudoun Valley Vikings’ head coach Joe Spicer has gotten to know McGaha well over the past three years. He believes that the control she establishes within each game is the root to her success.
“[She’s] not the most overpowering pitcher, but she does have very good control with the pitches she throws and she makes good decisions with those pitches. What’s best is her ability to control the batters and make them play to our strengths as a team,” says Spicer.
Cassie McGaha has been pitching since age seven, when she started playing house league, and pursued the position her entire career. That’s 10 years of experience her opponents face each time she steps on the mound.
But, what good is talent without the attitude to match?
McGaha’s outlook undoubtedly plays a huge role in her achievements. Spicer gives added credit to her ability to remain emotionally balanced in all situations.
“She’s not a real “rah-rah” person, she’s kind of a quiet leader, and I think she gives the team a sense of stability and a really strong foundation. She never gets real down, she never gets real up. In the tough times the team can look to her and rely upon her. Especially with a young team, she’s a good calming influence,” says Spicer. “She goes about her job. The big games don’t affect her as much as they affect me sometimes.”
It is reflected in the way she approaches the beginning of each game.
“The first inning I’m always very nervous. I just try to tell myself to relax and if something goes wrong you kind of just have to focus on yourself and let that go by and know that you gotta pitch your best every pitch because one pitch could determine the game,” says McGaha.
This mentality has undeniably been built on years of hard work and dedication. Aside from house, McGaha played for both Fire & Ice and Shamrocks travel leagues. They run March through August of each year, cutting into hours of school and summer time. So far balancing school and sports hasn’t been an issue, but with college aspirations on the horizon that condition may change.
“In high school it’s not that bad. I want to focus on an education and I don’t know if it’s going to be too much for me or not,” says McGaha,
A career in nursing is an alternate career she desires. Though McGaha would like to continue playing softball for nearby Shenandoah University, she is still undecided about the issue. Still, she hasn’t ruled it out of the question quite yet.
“I went to a few games [at Shenandoah] to check them out. I don’t want to play at a big school because that would be very overwhelming. If I do it will be a little school, division three,” says McGaha.
While scholarships are available, distance seems to be another limiting factor.
“Coaches from Bridgewater and another school have talked to me but I’m not really into it because I don’t want to go that far away,” says McGaha.
No matter what happens she will always have a support system that never fails – her family.
“Definitely my parents have helped me come through. They’ve come to every game and practices, some, when they can. Sometimes I slack but they’re definitely the ones to keep me going,” says McGaha.
That extra push may be just what the Vikings need to get through this next season, when they move up to the AAA region. Fortunately they have a strong set of assets like McGaha on their side. Encouraging coaching will play into their success.
“Our first goal is to get stronger and better throughout the 20 game season. Our very first goal is to get to the regionals in AAA district, and then we’ll see what happens,” says Spicer.
McGaha is aware that the new level may add pressure to her game, but she is optimistic nonetheless.
“We’re going to be playing a lot of new teams, but I think we’ll be fine,” says McGaha.
While Park View’s Brittany Gardener is sure to be an exciting challenge, McGaha is more interested in settling the score from a personal rivalry. Broad Run is at the top of her list.
“We play new school’s I’m not familiar with, but definitely [I look forward to] Broad Run, because they have good pitching and good hitting,” says McGaha. “Last game just wasn’t very pretty.”
Her perseverance does not go unrecognized. Coaches agree that her mindset is one of an aspiring individual.
“Her toughness, her ability to rise to the occasion, is most admiring about her,” says Spicer.
McGaha has used softball and the skills she’s learned from experience as the base for her outlook on life in general.
McGaha says, “With softball you have to realize that you have to come together as a team and anything you do in the future you’re always going to have to work with other people, and with softball there are people that you’re not always going to like but you have to stick together as a team to succeed. That’s how it’s going to be forever.”
