One of Bellaire High School's most decorated softball players has made her collegiate decision.
All-Ohio catcher Casey Garloch has decided to continue both her academic and athletic careers at Wheeling Jesuit University.
"Casey has been a natural leader since her freshman year," said Bellaire head coach Melissa Lahna. "You don't replace players like Casey, you only hope that her teammates have watched her play and they've seen the heart and hustle she played with. Then take that and mirror it next season."
Garloch, the Lady Big Reds' every day catcher, put the finishing touches on her prep career with a brilliant .486 batting average. She had 36 hits, including nine doubles, three home runs and she drove in 28.
She had a .730 slugging percentage, a .506 on-base percentage and struck out just four times during the season.
For her fine season, she was a second-team all-Ohio selection. She was also first-team all-Eastern District, all-OVAC, all-Times Leader and all-Valley.
"Casey has been a huge part of our team," Lahna said. "She's been the glue that kept us together and is one of the main reasons our program has been successful."
In her career, Garloch finished with a Bellaire High record 104 hits. She drove in 73 runs, while posting a .510 slugging percentage. She scored 43 runs.
"Casey was always clutch," Lahna said. "She's very athletic, has a strong arm. She's been, by far, one of the best hitters and all-around players I've had the pleasure of coaching."
Defensively, Garloch started her career as a third baseman and was thrown into the catcher's duty as a frosh. She never relinquished the position.
In her career, she threw out 35 of 50 base runners attempting to steal.
"I believe Casey will be a huge asset to Wheeling Jesuit," Lahna said. "She's definitely be able to help their program."
Along with softball, Garloch was a standout on the basketball court for the Lady Big Reds.
Casey, who is the daughter of George and C.J. Garloch, is also a standout in the classroom. She's intending on majoring in nuclear medicine.
Staskey can be reached at sstaskey@timesleaderonline.com
