Yesterday, we revealed that one of our top 10 stories of 2014 was “Haley’s Greatest Victory” about a North Carolina standout infielder who has overcome cancer to become one of the top young players in the East Coast.

Today, we learn more about her softball experiences and her approach at the plate which has led to one of the most amazing hitting streaks you’ll ever read about!

Name: HALEY CASHWELL
Grad Year: 2017
Pos: middle infielder
High School: Cape Fear (N.C.)
GPA: 4.5 GPA
Club: Wildcards Elite                                                              
Stats: set state record with 22 straight at-bats with a hit and 24 consecutive at-bats reaching base; hit .630 with 63 hits and 24 steals on 24 attempts.
Honors: 4A Player of the Year, All-State, All-Conference and All-Region honors        
College: North Carolina – Wilmington

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FullCountSoftball.com: What an amazing freshman year you had including the streak of hits and getting on base! What was going through your mind as you were in that “zone” of perfection?
Haley Cashwell: When I was on that hitting streak, the only thing I could think about when I went up to the plate was adding one more hit to the streak and always make the players work to get me out.

FCS.com: Let’s talk approach at the plate… what do you do mechanically or even mentally to make sure you get the most of your at bats?
HC: I always examine the field and the players before I step into the box… that way I can place the ball to my advantage.

FCS.com: Recruiting-wise, tell us how you were first seen by the UNC-Wilmington coaches, then how long until they offered?
HC: I was seen by the UNC-Wilmington coaches my freshman year in high school and then six months later I received an offer.

FCS.com: What led into the decision to commit and why did you commit when you did (and when was it)?
HC: I committed November 1 of my sophomore year because I thought Wilmington was a good place for me. I love all of the coaching staff there and the atmosphere of the school was also a plus.

FCS.com: How did you tell the coaches, in person, on the phone, on an unofficial visit?
HC: I told the UNC-Wilmington softball coach in person at one of our travel ball tournaments in Orlando, Fla.

FCS.com: Are you excited to be staying in-state and being fairly close to home? How close will you be from Cape Fear?
HC: Yes, that way my family can come watch my games easier, and it’ll be easier to take home visits. It takes about an hour and a half to get there from Cape Fear.

FCS.com: What’s been a top memory or two for you in your athletic career?
HC: The first memory that pops into my head is during the Richmond softball game, I hit in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning. Another memory is when I verbally committed to play softball at a school I’ve always been interested in, UNC-Wilmington.

 

Quick Hitters

 

What been the No. 1 key to your academic success?
High expectations set by my family, strong support and my work ethic.

Fill in the blank… I love softball because:
… it’s a fun sport to play and it builds relationships with different people.

What is your No. 1 goal for 2015?
A state championship.

Favorite color:
Pink.

Item you have most of in your closet:
Shoes.

What’s the best advice you’re ever received?
Live life to the fullest and cherish every moment.

What’s something unusual or different about you that few know?
I can make a camel face!

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing with you, what would it be?
A lot of synthroid (thyroid medicine).

Best movie you’ve seen recently?
22 Jump Street.

What’s your “guilty pleasure,” something you hate to admit you love?
SpongeBob SquarePants.

If you could have a super power, what would you want it to be?
To be invisible.

What’s playing in your earphones/buds right now?
Todays Country on Pandora.

If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be?
Adam Sandler.

What did you want to be when you were little?
A doctor.

Favorite athlete:
Derek Jeter.

Nickname(s):
$kittles and Haycash.

Something on your “must do” list:
Go skydiving.

Best thing about being from Cape Fear:
The community is so close and people have each others’ back.

The one main thing that kept you going when you were going through your cancer scare:
My faith in God.