Raley picks up second Athlete of the Week
UR ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Raley picks up second Athlete of the Week Anonymous The Union-Recorder The Union-Recorder Fri Oct 04, 2013, 09:44 AM EDT MILLEDGEVILLE 鈥� It鈥檚 been a breakout season for Georgia Military Prep School pitcher Dixie Raley. Her recent performance earned her Athlete of the Week for the second time this year based on her strong pitching against First Presbyterian Day School last week and against Perry on Monday. The junior struck out 14 batters in the Lady Bulldogs鈥� 5-1 win over FPD and snagged 19 strikeouts in the 4-0 victory over Perry. 鈥淚n the past few games, I鈥檝e really known that my defense is behind me and they鈥檝e really helped me, and so knowing they鈥檙e behind me I can focus on throwing strikes,鈥� Raley said. 鈥淚 know if they hit the ball that my defense is behind me because my job isn鈥檛 to strike everybody out, it鈥檚 to let them put it in play and let my defense work.鈥� With a strong defense behind her, Raley said she feels comfortable on the mound, but also credits GMC Prep鈥檚 offense for putting points on the scoreboard each game. 鈥淎lso, on offense my team scores a lot of runs and that insurance really helps me get into my comfort zone, and it lets you relax,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what鈥檚 really helped me.鈥� For Raley, much of her success comes in part from her supportive teammates week-in and week-out, as she admits it has not been an individual effort this season. 鈥淚t gives me a lot of confidence, because they鈥檙e so positive,鈥� she said. 鈥淎ll they do is they encourage me, and knowing that they鈥檙e behind me like that, it builds a lot of trust so that I can trust them to be able to make the plays.鈥� While it seems as if pitchers are on an island by themselves most of the time, the tall junior suggests otherwise. 鈥淚t seems that way sometimes, but if you watch I turn around and I talk to my middle-infielders a lot. We kind of joke around, and I have to be happy, so that鈥檚 how we kind of work,鈥� Raley said. 鈥淧itching is a real mental thing, but I have to tell myself continuously to focus, do what you鈥檝e got to do, just throw the strike. You鈥檝e got to stay on that one pitch, you can鈥檛 look at the pitch ahead, but you can鈥檛 really look back either.鈥� Striking out 33 of the last 42 batters she has faced, Raley confirms it has taken a lot of hard work and repetition to get to this point in her young career. 鈥淚t does seem like a lot. I try not to think about it because I don鈥檛 want it to get in my head,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a lot of work; it鈥檚 a lot of muscle-memory, trying to memorize what to do.鈥� Heading into the post-season, Raley is pleased with her performances and thankful for the recognition for her accomplishments, but understands even more focus is required if the Lady Bulldogs have the chance to make a strong run in the Georgia High School Association State Tournament later this month. 鈥淚鈥檓 really proud of myself, but you know, it鈥檚 a total team effort, and I think the way we鈥檙e headed if we can keep it up into the state tournament we鈥檒l be good,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 such a great honor, and I appreciate it all. I鈥檓 so thankful.鈥�
