Pitcher Chelsea Cox’s “incredible” senior year was 14 years in the making.

At 4 years old, Cox walked onto the softball field for the first time, and according to her, she just couldn’t get enough of the sport ever since.

In fact, she’s pitched every game for the Isabella Mustangs varsity team since the beginning of her eighth grade season.

“There is no telling how many pitches I’ve thrown during my lifetime,” Cox said.

Her insistence on pitching every day prepared her for a senior softball season she never saw coming.

For the first time in Cox’s career, the Mustangs qualified for the regional tournament, which they won with ease, advancing to the Class 1A state tournament.

For the first time in school history, the Mustangs found themselves in the state championship round.

Pitching five consecutive games in one day en route to the championship, Cox proved that her size was not a determination of her skill.

“I think I was the smallest pitcher at the state tournament,” Cox said. “People were definitely surprised at the speed of my pitches after seeing my size. It’s a good feeling to prove them wrong.”

The Mustangs finished second in the state for Class 1A softball, which is an honor no other Isabella team, in any sport, has ever earned.

“The best part about this season was winning the regional tournament, and then making history at state,” Cox said. “No one expected us to do it.”

Throwing over 700 pitches in just two days at the state tournament, Cox said she relied on the “adrenaline rush” to get her through the seven games.

“I knew I had to pitch. I wasn’t going to complain about my arm hurting or needing a break,” Cox said. “We made it because our team had a ‘want-to’ attitude.”

Cox’s “want-to” attitude is one of many reasons that she has been named The Clanton Advertiser’s Softball Player of the Year.

In addition to the honor, Cox was also named Most Valuable Player for the 2015 county tournament, and made the all-state and all-area teams for the year as well.

She has also earned a spot on the all-county team for the past five seasons, which is no surprise, considering she became the Mustangs’ team captain as a ninth grader, and held the title for the duration of her high school softball career.

Although Cox leaves behind a one-of-a-kind legacy at Isabella High School, she said she wouldn’t be the player she is today if it weren’t for her father.

“Every day after my daddy got home from work, he would practice with me in the yard,” Cox said. “My daddy was my pitching coach. He taught me most of what I know, and I owe a lot of my success to him.”

Cox said she can still hardly believe how “incredible” her senior year was, not because of her awards, but because of the memories she made with her teammates along the way.

“I was just really proud of our team this year,” Cox said. “I couldn’t ask for a better senior year or a better team behind me.”

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2015 All-Area Softball Team

Pitcher: Kennise Bolton, Freshman, Jemison

Pitcher: Katlyn Childress, Sophomore, Billingsley

Pitcher: Chelsea Cox, Senior, Isabella

Catcher: Cyana Quimby, Freshman, Maplesville

First base: Kacie Adams, Senior, Isabella

Second base: Ariel Cleckler, Senior, Billingsley

Third base: Destiny Bailey, Sophomore, Jemison

Shorstop: Caley Booth, Junior, Isabella

Outfield: Taylor McManus, Sophomore, Thorsby

Outfield: Madison Motley, Freshman, Billingsley

Outfield: Laura Vinzant, Senior, Jemison

Utility: Hannah Rose Corbin, Freshman, Jemison

Designated hitter: Lilly Barnett, Sophomore, Thorsby