 "Photo: Lori Kreuger | Special to the Chronicle")
Canada is not only hosting the Olympics, but also sharing softball player Cassidy Lee with CSUSB.
But what does San Bernardino have to offer that Canada doesn’t have?
Lee's answer, sunny weather.
“I like dry heat a lot better than moisture,” Lee said. “I have a lot of friends on the east coast and to get home it’s like eight hour flights so it’s a lot closer [to home], nice location, a lot different weather and people, but in a good way.”
Lee brings left-handed pitching to a pitching staff of right-handers as a different perspective for the team.
“I’ve played with a lot of different teams so I feel I bring a lot of aspects,” Lee said.
Teammates agree that her knowledge of pitching and fielding positions is exactly what CSUSB needs in a player this year.
“Every player adds something to the team, with her it’s her experience and pitch selection,” says infielder Lorraine Sanchez. “It has to do with experience, but it also has to do with knowledge of the game, understanding how to throw and field positions.”
Being the only left-handed pitcher on the team, it provides the Coyotes some advantage by throwing off the opposition with the change up in the game.
"All the batters I’ve pitched against say it's a different perspective with left-handed pitches, obviously I don’t know because I pitch so I don’t see it,” said Lee. “I guess it’s cool to be different.”
As a freshman, Lee started in 21 of her 35 appearances and had an ERA of 6.03 in 29 innings. This season Lee works wherever she's needed.
“She’s a hard worker, determined and gets the job done,” said pitcher Brianne Godfredson.
“She brings a lot of fun, of course her athleticism as a pitcher, she’s just an awesome pitcher all around,” said Sanchez. On a personal side, Lee is a player that brings energy and high spirits to the team when it’s needed and of course a Canadian attitude.
“It’s different up there, people are way more laid back and that’s exactly what Cassidy is,” said Godfredson.
“She’s really outgoing so she brings a lot of energy to the team, I don’t think my college experience would be the same if I wasn’t close friends with her. “She’s real goofy and with her big smile, she’s just a fun person to be around,” said Sanchez.
Lee’s positive attitude may be related to her passion for the game. “I couldn’t imagine just going to school without softball,” said Lee.
Though she doesn’t have plans to continue on a professional level, Lee is majoring in Marketing with a sports emphasis. She hopes to graduate next year and plans to work in the sports area.
She feels that she isn’t the only player that brings something to the table and has confidence in her team this season.
“We got a lot going for us, we’re a lot stronger this year,” said Lee.
You can catch the Coyote’s very own left-handed Canadian in their next series of home games starting March 10.
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