Casey Stangel's softball success comes from stellar work ethic

As a sixth-grader, she was on the University of California's future recruit list.

As a 12-year-old seventh-grader, she pitched a complete game victory over the Washington Ladyhawks U-18 Gold softball team. She also drove in the winning run in that 3-2 victory.

As an eighth-grader, Notre Dame University sent her a recruiting letter.

As a freshman, she was named MVP of the 5A Inland Empire League.



As a sophomore at Lake City (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho), she was honored as Idaho's Gatorade Softball Player of the Year. And was named a MaxPreps Medium Schools All-American.

And in the fall of her junior year, Casey Stangel verbally committed to the University of Missouri despite offers from pretty much every top softball program in the U.S.

When asked what she does away from the softball field, the 5-10 daughter of Chris and Debbie Stangel, says, "I think about being on the softball field."

She's serious. She says all of her friends are softball players.

"We're friends because we're on the same path," said Stangel, who is named after the legendary baseball great Casey Stengel. "If we're not at our team practice, we're at one of our own practices."

She quips that if she didn't play softball, she'd be a quarterback at Alabama. "It's the closest thing to being a pitcher on a football field."



Stangel played volleyball and soccer up to eighth grade, but then decided it "was time to commit to one."

Softball it was. She plays or practices softball six days a week. Her favorite day?

"That would be Saturday," said Stangel, who was 26-0 in 2011 and led Lake City to the 5A state title. "We start working out - fielding, hitting, pitching - at 7 a.m. and usually don't finish until 3 or 4 in the afternoon (on Saturdays). I just love softball. When I get bored, I go hit."

The love and dedication of the game produces big results.

The left-handed pitcher finished 2011 with a 0.33 ERA, leading the Timberwolves (26-0) to the 5A state championship last May. Stangel recorded 283 strikeouts and walked 31 in 149 innings, compiling 17 shutouts and two no-hitters and a one-hitter in the state title game when she allowed a hit on a 1-2 pitch with two outs in the seventh inning.

Stangel also batted .590 with 52 RBIs, 36 runs scored, 16 doubles and 11 home runs. She produced a 1.205 slugging percentage and .611 on-base percentage.



Laura Tolzman, who is in her seventh season as Lake City coach, calls Stangel "phenomenal." Tolzman says it's hard to say whether she's a better pitcher or hitter. Missouri is expected to have Stangel at first base or in the outfield when she isn't pitching.

"She's the best pitcher I've seen in our area. Very solid on the mound, very focused, driven to be the best in her position. Great work ethic," said Tolzman." She lives it, breathes it. She's a great role model. Hits every day. Hard to say which is better - her pitching is phenomenal, but she led the team in batting average. Every time she gets up it is going to be a solidly hit ball."

While she is arguably the greatest softball talent to play in Idaho, there is more to her than just softball. She carries a straight-A grade average, is on Lake City High School's Student Body, attends a youth group, volunteers at Real Life Ministries and is a member of the National Honor Society.

"I'm a pretty self-motivated person," said Stangel. "I've always loved softball. My dad has never said I need to do it. When I get bored I go hit. I love it so much and there is so much I want to do in the sport."

Her goals are lofty. She wants to win two more Idaho 5A titles, be named the Gatorade National Softball Player of the Year, win a couple NCAA titles at Missouri and play on the USA National Team. And, when she's done with softball, Stangel wants to work for ESPN. She did not know Missouri was well known for its communications department until she visited the school.

"But first, I want to do everything I can in softball," she said.



She knows that if she wants to reach those goals, hard work is required. A typical Casey Stangel week would retire most people:

• Monday-Wednesday-Friday: Training after school with a private trainer. Focus is on strength training, speed, agility and power. All softball-related workouts for 75 minutes.
• Monday through Friday: Pitches and hits every day for 60 to 90 minutes.
• Tuesday-Thursday: Works out with private trainer on speed and core strength.
•  Weekends: Swimming workouts.

And, of course, Saturday, her favorite day of the week.

Not forgotten is her daily team practice when the high school season gets underway.

"I understand what it takes," said Stangel, who comes from a sports family. Her Dad pitched in professional baseball, her mom played soccer at UCLA and her brother plays baseball at the University of Montana. "Work hard. But I enjoy it."

Some might call Stangel's weekly routine extreme, but she looks forward to every single workout.



During summer and fall/winter seasons, she plays for the SoCal Explosion 18-Gold squad. Add to that, Stangel also finds time to travel to Missouri a few times each month to work with private pitching coach Doug Gillis.

"We're working mostly on my rise balls," said Stangel, who has mastered the curve, change, screwball and dropball. "I used to think I had a pretty good rise, but all the work we've been doing lately, I can't wait to throw it to batters. It used to be high, but good. Now it's through the zone and very good."

Stangel says she'll throw the rise regularly in a couple weeks when Lake City kicks off its high school season, a season where Stangel and teammates are aiming for a second-straight title.

"I really like our chances (of repeating). I love my high school team. We're just a huge family," she said. "I wouldn't choose any other players to be behind me on the field."

What about back-to-back unbeaten seasons?

"We're not thinking about that. I think it's more important to focus on our team goals as it is to everyone's expectations," said Stangel, who said she had no idea how fast she pitched. "Last year was very special, but we're not buying into the hype of being undefeated (again). We have to resist the urge because it will distract us from our goal of winning state.



"But I like or chances of repeating."

Especially with a new rise ball in 2012.