ROANOKE, Va. – Their season ended in the region quarterfinals, but the Liberty High School softball team has a bright future ahead-- and a standout pitcher to go along with it.
Millie Thompson is just a freshman for the Lady Minutemen, but she has made her presence known. Entering regional play she had an ERA just over one, and had struck out nearly 200 batters in just 111 innings. She's already committed to play for James Madison University following high school. Although her sport is played on a diamond, she said she draws inspiration from an athlete on the ice.
"I've grown up loving hockey. I love Sidney Crosby, he's my favorite hockey player. He's just so confident and carries a team himself. He's the main role and I want to be that way as a pitcher just being confident," Thompson said.
"She's thrown great for us all year kept us in ball games all year. Really had a good year, our catcher has been amazing this year, Haley Wright. Good defense behind her and she made us proud this year absolutely", her dad Mike Thompson said.
Mike Thompson is also in his first year as Liberty's head coach.
With her freshman year behind her, Thompson plans to get stronger in the offseason and is looking forward to travel ball.