When softball pitcher Courtney Cuzick steps onto the mound, you can tell she means business. A junior at Nipomo High School, Cuzick is the lead pitcher in the bullpen, with a 0.56 ERA (earned run average) and 178 strikeouts so far this season.
Like every pitcher, Cuzick has a certain mindset when she gets into the circle.
“I try to go after every batter as best as I can and hopefully get a strike out, pop-up, or ground ball,” Cuzick said.
The NHS softball team currently has a 4-1 record in the league and a 10-7 record overall—with Cuzick pitching 10 of those wins. Cuzick said this year’s success has a lot to do with the younger players, as well as improved team chemistry.
“My favorite moment from this season was when we played against Morro Bay, and we beat them 6-1,” Cuzick said.
She attributes her success as a pitcher to the effectiveness of her riseball.
With its winning record, the team has a chance at CIF play- offs. Cuzick said she wants to win league and, if they make it to play-offs, her main focus will be keeping people off the bases.
While the pressure of manning the mound can be frustrating and stressful, Cuzick thrives on it.
“Everyone relies on me to do my job, so I use the pressure to fuel every pitch,” Cuzick said.
Matt Paradis has been coaching Cuzick for three years. He said she is a great pitcher for a variety of reasons.
“She is very intelligent and understands the complexities of the game. She has an incredible work ethic,” he said.
Cuzick said her pitching coach, Bill Hobbs, has helped her develop a lot of pitches and taught her how to approach batters. Though Cuzick has a slight build for a pitcher, she doesn’t let that stop her.
“She has identified that she can’t overpower every batter, so she works all zones and works around hitters,” Paradis said.
Cuzick has mastered how to move her pitches and add more spin to the ball to be successful against batters.
While she is showcased primarily for her pitching, she is also a solid batter and fielder. Cuzick said softball has helped her a lot off the field with discipline, perseverance, and dedication. After high school, she hopes to play college ball. She is looking at universities in Pennsylvania.
This article appears in Apr 12-19, 2012.