LONDON — North Laurel’s remarkable success this season is highlighted by the fact that they have only one senior on the roster, yet they are just two wins away from clinching a Fastpitch state championship. While the Lady Jaguar team is filled with talented underclassmen, senior Braylee Fawbush stands out not only for her skill but also for her leadership on the field.
Fawbush has been an anchor for North Laurel Fastpitch varsity program since wearing the blue and green.
“Braylee has been an anchor for me since I got the job at North Laurel,” North Laurel coach Chris Edwards said. “She is a constant and one of the best catchers around. I put a lot on her but I also don’t worry about it because I know that it will get done.
“Braylee leads the team by example,” he added. “She works hard and puts the younger girls under her wing so to speak. Some of the younger girls talk about her helping to guide them as the season progressed. When her career here is over, she will have definitely made it better because she helped prepare the younger girls to continue this legacy and tradition.”
Not only is she a great leader, but she’s a great talent behind the plate as North Laurel’s catcher and at the plate when called on to hit.
She’s been a big reason why both pitchers, Emma Carl and Tessa Monhollen have been successful this season in the circle.
“What people have to understand is that in order to be a great catcher like she is, it doesn’t just happen one day,” Edwards said. “There are literally years that go into making her be this good behind the plate. She started catching in kid pitch during little league and has worked very hard every day to get better. Lessons, summer ball and countless hours in the bullpen so the pitchers can get their work done. It’s hard work and it isn’t for everyone but Braylee was made for it.
“Braylee brings a lot to the table as a catcher,” he added. “She is like having a pitching coach on the field. She will let them know what she sees and the girls respond to her. She will also let me know what she sees and what she also is afraid to let me know what she thinks will work.
“She receives the softball really well, too,” Edwards continued. “I’m positive that she has gotten us more than a few strike calls this season on borderline pitches. And of course she throws the ball as well as any catcher around. She restricts the running game simply because she is back there. On two occasions this season, she is the only catcher to throw out two different girls trying to steal second base.”
Edwards stated that his younger girls also see off the field is that Fawbush has what’s next for her figured out.
“A lot of kids her age have no direction or don’t know what they want to do,” he said. “Braylee has managed to be successful on the softball field as well as the classroom. She is going to go to Tennessee Tech and major in Agriculture and has her plans for life after college. She has it figured out so to say. I will miss writing her name on the line up card.”
