Sophomore Varsity Lady Cats softball pitcher Lexie Delbrey is no stranger to success. Her pitching, combined with the skillset of the team has lead to an undefeated season. Delbrey’s biggest accomplishment however was just named.

She is the No. 3 softball player in the nation and the number one pitcher.

This came as no surprise to softball coach, Christopher Bryant.

“We knew we had something special with Lexie this year,” he said. “The progress she’s made from last year to this year is tremendous. Her work ethic here and with her travel ball team. Her numbers are unmatched.”

Bryant said Delbrey’s work ethic and skill are part of the reason the team has made it so far this season.

Delbrey has been playing softball since she was eight years old. She originally played third baseman or outfielder, but started pitching around age 10, she said. Delbrey has dedicated herself to the game ever since.

Once a month she attends pitching lessons in Tampa and learns to master different types of pitches and spins. She brings what she learns in her lesson back to the pitching mound and works on them at practice with the team.

Delbrey said her eighth grade year she didn’t do her best, but that was when she realized she wanted to take it further and do whatever it took to make the varsity team.

Bryant disagreed, saying even when Delbrey tried out in middle school he knew she would be a special player.

“You look at her from seventh/eighth grade until now and you see how much her skills have developed,” Bryant said. “I can’t even imagine what next year or her junior year holds.”

Bryant is not the only one who can’t imagine what the future holds. College scouts have been attending the games to watch Delbrey pitch. She has had visits from University of Florida, LSU, Mississippi State, UGA and Tennessee.

Delbrey likes having them in attendance and said she plays her best when they are there.

“I love pressure,” Delbrey said. “It makes me play better when they are watching.”

Bryant joked that Delbrey has to like the pressure to play under him. He said she is always a sunshine on the field. He will be over on the sidelines nervous about a game; about to pull his hair out but Delbrey will just take it one pitch at a time and do it with a smile on her face.

Delbrey recounted some of her favorite memories from this year, which have been beating Harris County both times and beating TCC, but she can’t wait for what lies ahead.

Even if they don’t win, Delbrey said she loves being part of the team and she’s not afraid to fail in front of them because she knows no matter what they will have her back.

“They will always pick me up, I’m lucky to be a part of this team,” she said.

As for what’s next, Delbrey hopes to play on the college level at UGA or University of Florida. She has already visited Mississippi State, LSU and Ole Miss, but is primarily focused on those two schools. After college, she hopes to play softball in the Olympics.

She said is thankful for everything and excited to be ranked number three in the nation and plans to strive to be number one next year, which Bryant thinks should be no problem at all.

Delbrey will be pitching Wednesday night at home against Thomasville at 5:30 p.m.