East County Athlete of the Week: Cassidy McLellan

Cassidy McLellan is a senior on the Lakewood Ranch High softball team. McLellan, who is committed to the University of Florida, is hitting .569 with 10 doubles, two triples, four home runs and 16 RBIs. She also holds a .969 fielding percentage. The team is 12-6.

When did you start playing softball?

I started with the Miss Manatee Softball organization when I was 5. My dad (Rick McLellan) played baseball and my sister (Courtney McLellan) played softball. I think I just wanted to be around them and hang out with them at first. 

What is the appeal to you?

The main thing is that I love the friends I have made. Some of my best friends are on our high school team and on my travel team (Hotshots National) I'm playing with some of the girls I'll be playing with in college, which is awesome. But I also love the competitive aspect of it. 

What is your best skill?

Well, I hope my teammates would say that I'm a great teammate. But besides that, I think I'm an all-around player. I can play defense and I can hit, and if I'm not seeing the ball well, I have a slapping swing that I can use. 

What have you been working to improve?

I have been more aggressive on the bases. My travel coaches always say that it is important to get to third base. So I have been working on doing delay steals while on second base, or reading the ball while it's in the dirt (to know when to steal). 

What is your favorite memory?

Winning the first state championship with Lakewood Ranch (in 2021). Those bus rides to and from Clermont were fun, as was staying in a hotel with all my teammates. And obviously, winning felt amazing. Knowing it was the first one in Lakewood Ranch history was so fun. 

Why did you sign with the University of Florida?

It's a great academic school and I love the coaching staff and the campus. It's only two and a half hours from here so I'll be close to family and they can come visit me. The girls in my commitment class, I'm good friends with a lot of them. I just think it will be fun and we'll be pretty good. (Laughs.)

What are your personal goals for the rest of this season?

My sophomore year I hit nine home runs. I have four right now. I'd like to get closer to nine. I also want to stay solid on defense. I've thrown three girls out this year but I'd like to get more of those as well. 

What is your favorite food?

It's the chicken tender sub from Publix. I get it with just lettuce and mayonnaise, which is kind of lame. But it's my favorite meal. 

What is your favorite TV show or movie?

My favorite show is "New Girl" and my favorite movies are the 'Marvel' movies, I love those. 

What is your favorite school subject?

It's probably math, but my favorite elective is journalism because I enjoy writing and I get to write about the softball team, which is interesting. 

Which superpower would you pick?

I would pick flying. I think it would be cool to quickly get from place to place. 

What is the best advice you have received?

Before every game my mom (Denise McLellan) tells me to have fun. I think that's important to remember. Even if you're going through a slump or your team isn't doing as well as you want, it's still worth it if you're having fun. 

Finish this sentence: "Cassidy McLellan is …"

Competitive. That's what people tell me, anyway.