An ace in Alex

When varsity softball tryouts began at Alexander Central High this season, freshman Chelsea Wilkinson's goal was just to make the team.

Come Friday afternoon, she will continue her string of having pitched every inning for this year's Cougars when they open the state 4A championship tournament at Walnut Creek Park in Raleigh.

Alexander Central (28-1) meets North Davidson (28-1) at 5 p.m. on Friday for the West 4A title. The double-elimination tournament continues Saturday, with the tradition-rich Cougars trying to win their sixth state softball title.

Wilkinson, a 15-year-old right-hander, has been a dominant pitcher, especially in the state playoffs.
In four postseason games, Wilkinson has allowed eight hits and four runs and struck out 40 in 26 innings. For the season, she has allowed 11 earned runs and 48 hits and registered 20 shutouts and 323 strikeouts.

"I have had some great college Division I pitchers come through my program, but I have never had a freshman that has attained the level she is at," says Cougars head coach Monte Sherrill. "She is an exceptional pitcher, very humble, and takes coaching well.

"She has broken every single-season record in the books at our school. (But) we don't want to be a big fish in a little pond, we want to get her ready where she can be a big fish in the Division I scene.

"There is a lot of work to do, but we are really pleased with her so far."

Wilkinson, whose family moved from Iredell County to Alexander County before her eighth-grade year, debuted by winning the Northwestern 4A's Pitcher of the Year.

And last year's top pitcher in the league is starting in left field for the Cougars.

Senior Megan Laxton, this year's conference player of the year, has been one of Wilkinson's biggest supporters.

"From the start of the season, I have developed more mental toughness and that is because of the support of my teammates," said Wilkinson. "They are good at helping me remain positive and focused.

"Megan has been a great help. As a former pitcher, she has been in the same situations and can relate to what I am feeling."

Laxton's leadership has been a key for the Cougars.

"Her biggest asset has been Megan Laxton by her side, tutoring her and nurturing her in a way that has made her blossom not so much physically but mentally," said Sherrill of Wilkinson's situation. "Megan has really helped her out in the mental game in things she has said.

"Megan is Chelsea's biggest fan and I would also think Chelsea is Megan's biggest fan as well."

Laxton said the fun is in playing together with a single goal – another state title.

"I have been where she is at and I had someone there for me," said Laxton. "You have to have team chemistry in order to get to the state championship.

"If I took the attitude that she took my position, that would not help the team. If I support her, then the team will support her.

"Everybody on the team looked at me to see how I was going to handle the change. My motto this year is 'The best one is going to get the job done and all of our rings will look alike.'

"It was very hard at first when the change was made, but she (Wilkinson) has got the talent and will take us where we need to go. Now, we are best friends."

This weekend, they'll work together in hopes of adding to a long resume of success.

The Cougars' 30 state tournament wins from 1994 through this season are second only to 35 by Central Cabarrus.

But Alexander Central hasn't been to Raleigh for the double-elimination tournament since 2001.

The other teams in the field, meeting at 5 p.m. on Friday for the East 4A title, are New Bern (17-7) and Fuquay-Varina (20-4).

Outscoring opponents 107-9 in their last 14 games and winning 13 of those, Alexander Central goes into the tournament as the top-ranked 4A team in the state (N.C. Softball Coaches Association), with North Davidson at No. 2.

Nationally, the Cougars are ranked No. 5 and North Davidson 19th in the USA Today/National Fast-pitch Coaches Association polls.

Alexander Central's only loss this season came in Raleigh, a 9-5 loss at N.C. State to Southwest Randolph.

Wilkinson is confident the Cougars will leave Raleigh this time with a title in hand.

"I am really excited about it and feel we will do well," said Wilkinson. "If we play like we can, I feel everything will go our way."