Plimpton named Gatorade NYS softball player of the year
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Williamsville South senior Chelsea Plimpton, left, displays her 2006-07 Gatorade New York State Softball Player of the Year honor. Pictured with her is South softball coach Gerry Gentner.

Chelsea Plimpton could go down as the greatest softball pitcher in New York State history, and the Williamsville South High School senior was recently honored for all of her efforts with a prestigious honor.

Plimpton, a five-year starter for the Lady Billies, was named Gatorade 2006-07 New York State Player of the Year. Ashley Brignac of John Curtis Christian School in River Ridge, La., was named Gatorade National Player of the Year.

"What made it more special was knowing who I beat to get it," said Plimpton, who received a plaque and a 10-foot banner that will be displayed in the South gym. "I know the other two finalists really well (names were undisclosed). I consider them the best. To win that award was really great."

"It's totally awesome," said South coach Gerry Gentner, whose softball team finished 27-2 and won its 10th straight league championship and fifth straight Section VI championship.

According to a press release from Gatorade, the Gatorade Player of the Year program recognizes one winner from 47 states. The selection process is administered by RISE magazine, the nation's leading sports and active lifestyle magazine for teens. The release also said state winners are selected not only for their outstanding athletic performance but also for meeting high academic achievement standards while demonstrating exemplary personal character on and off the field.

Plimpton finished her five-year career first in New York State history for career strikeouts (1,427), shutouts (78) and perfect games (10); second in pitching victories (109); third for most no-hitters (16); and fourth in career ERA (.24).

She closed out her senior season leading the team in innings pitched (196), strikeouts (407), earned run average (.34), wins (26), shutouts (18), no-hitters (four), and perfect games (three).

As a junior, she set the single season state strikeout record with 411 and as a sophomore, recorded the most strikeouts in one game with 23. Other single season state records she's listed in the top five are most shutouts (22, second place, 2006), perfect games (three, second place, 2007), and ERA (.10, fourth place, 2005).

"My freshman year I remember reading the state record book and seeing (Susquehanna Valley) Barb Cook's name and I said 'I want to be there," said Plimpton, who passed Cook for career strikeouts, shutouts and perfect games. "But I can't complain about my career. The past five years has been the best time of my life."

Plimpton has twice been named National Louisville Slugger All-American (second team in 2006, third team in 2004), as well as a three-time All-State first-team and four-time Western New York Pitcher of the Year, All-Western New York first-team, and All-ECIC first-team selection. In 2006, she won New York State Class A Player of the Year. This year, she won team awards for pitcher of the year, most valuable player and a senior award. She was also a WNY Scholar-Athlete.

Plimpton has also maintained an A-minus average in the classroom, belonged to the Spanish Club and National Honor Society, and is an enthusiastic volunteer coach at local youth softball camps and clinics.

"She can just dominate on the mound," said Lou Bishop, Plimpton's summer team coach with TC Tremors Gold. "The movement she has on her pitches is outstanding. She can shut down any team at any moment."

Plimpton's graduation ends a 10-year softball relationship with Gentner, who found Plimpton at an Amherst Girls Softball clinic.

"What has made our relationship strong is that we don't agree on everything," said Gentner. "It was for the quest of perfection. When you look at the stats, we must have done a lot of things right."

Gentner also thanked Chelsea's father, Mark, for allowing him to work exclusively as her pitching coach through the years.

Plimpton will play with the TC Tremors before reporting to St. John's University on Aug. 22, where she has received a full scholarship.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com