Lakota East pitcher Sara Pearson continues to lead Ohio's No. 1-ranked softball team

University of Memphis softball coach Windy Thees is a self-proclaimed big fan of Lakota East (Liberty Township, Ohio) senior Sara Pearson.

The reasons are fairly obvious. Pearson, who has signed to play at Memphis, is not only a very talented softball player who is projected to make an impact at the collegiate level, but she is also a significant reason why Lakota East has been ranked No. 1 in the Ohio Division I (large school) state coaches' poll for four consecutive weeks.

Thees has followed Pearson and the Thunderhawks' path to success this spring through the Lakota East Facebook team page.

"What they have done this year is amazing," Thees said. "I hope they can take it all the way."



A Cincinnati-area softball team hasn't won a large school state title since Hamilton won the Class AAA title in 1985. But, if a team from southwest Ohio has the potential to reach the state finals this season, it could very well be Lakota East (23-2), which is ranked No. 20 in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Softball Rankings.

The Division I state semifinals are scheduled for June 3 at Akron's Firestone Stadium with the finals on June 4 – graduation day for Pearson and her senior teammates. But, Pearson said, the team isn't looking that far ahead. All she is concerned about is the next game – which happens to be today in a sectional final against Fairborn.

"It's been a great season," said Pearson. "We worked so hard in the offseason. It's starting to pay off. It's really been fun."

Lakota East, a Division I state semifinalist in 2010, is among the Greater Miami Conference powers who are traditionally one of the better teams in southwest Ohio. Because of heavy rain in April, Cincinnati-area teams are still completing regular-season schedules during the postseason. Lakota East plays Fairfield for the league title on Wednesday.

"We want to be on all cylinders (in the postseason)," Lakota East coach Steve Castner told The Cincinnati Enquirer recently. "We have a really consistent strong lineup when we put it together; it's pretty tough for teams to score more runs. We want to make sure we are playing our best every day we play."

Pearson, 17, a Player of the Year candidate in the Cincinnati area, has been a key reason for the strong Lakota East defense.  Going into this week, she led the GMC in earned- run average (0.34), wins (18) and strikeouts (206).



"From what I have seen, Pearson is the hardest thrower in the city," said Fairfield coach Brenda Stieger. "That can be intimidating."

Pearson, who has hit .394, has also been very effective at the plate, leading the league with 30 RBIs and is third in the league with five home runs. She has also received plenty of support in the batting order with junior outfielder Ainsley Ellison (.500 batting average) and senior catcher Kelly Hardison, who has seven home runs and 29 RBIs.

Stieger, who has more than 300 coaching wins in 15 seasons, said Pearson had a one-hitter against Fairfield earlier in the season along with the decisive home run.

"So she is the total package as a player," Stieger said.

Pearson's senior season has also been highlighted by her first career perfect game in a 3-0 win over Mason on May 5. She had thrown a no-hitter against Colerain less than a week earlier.

Castner said Pearson has had solid control of the types of pitches she wants to throw. Pearson has also been able to stay ahead of the count and exhibit pinpoint location of her pitches.



"Sara is doing an excellent job," Castner said.

That is no surprise to Thees at Memphis. When Pearson took an unofficial visit to Memphis two years ago, Thees remembers being impressed with Pearson's pitching and offensive ability. Thees said her starting catcher quickly noticed Pearson could throw at that level.

"I am really proud of the way she just keeps getting better and better," Thees said.

Pearson said she liked Memphis from the start and it was the first school to show significant interest in her. She will report to campus in mid-August with plans of studying pre-med and hopes of becoming an orthopedic doctor.

"I couldn't imagine not being around sports," Pearson said.

Lakota East athletic director Rich Bryant said Pearson is the type of student-athlete that makes the school very proud. Pearson is a "tremendous student" with better than a 3.5 grade point average, Bryant said.



"Her work ethic sets her apart," Bryant said. "Sara will approach me in the fall and winter about when she can have space to throw – she is relentless in her work ethic and preparation."