College Bound Jocks Player of the Month (Committed): Cece Thorington… Staying Home (Just 30 Minute Drive!) To Play At Michigan

Working together with College Bound Jocks, Extra Inning Softball is spotlighting CBJ Players of the Month including those who have signed or committed as well as those who are on their way!

Today for March 2023’s honoree, we feature 2024 outfielder Cecelia “Cece” Thorington who, once she packs up and “moves away” to go to college won’t have far to go home for the holidays: she lives just 20 miles or so from her future school, the University of Michigan!

A former baseball “bat girl,” Cece would go on to play baseball where she’d be the only girl on the team before she switched to fastpitch and, well, she’s been pretty darn good ever since!

Here’s more on this standout player from the Great Lakes State…

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Player: CECELIA “Cece” THORINGTON         
Club Team: Tennessee Mojo 16U – Mobley
High School: Pinckney (Mich.) High
Grad Year: 2024
Position(s): CF/OF
Committed to: Michigan

What factors led you to commit to the Wolverines?
I’ve grown up watching Michigan softball and I’ve always loved watching it. I got the chance to watch the team practice and the energy is amazing. Everyone there is part of a family together which I think is very important. I’ll also be very close to my family and home.

When, where, and how did you commit?
February 5th, 2023. I made the call with my family after my Sunday practice.

What are your top individual accomplishments?
Last year, in my sophomore season,
I was the first softball player at my school to reach All-State recognition (Honorable Mention).

I also broke our school record for most stolen bases in a season my freshman year, then beat my record the next year.

What are your club team’s top accomplishments?
One of our biggest accomplishments was when we won the Triple Crown Southeast Nationals in Georgia last summer. 

What are your strengths in softball?
Keeping the energy up and encouraging my teammates, as well as being a triple threat at the plate.

What is your favorite softball memory?
Being a part of the team that holds the highest win record in our high school’s softball history.

Do you have any softball superstitions?
Every game I have to wear my white WWJD (“What Would Jesus Do?”) bracelet.

What is the funniest thing you have ever seen happen on a softball field?
One time my teammate hit a line drive so hard that it bounced off the pitcher’s glove and the centerfielder caught it.

If you could meet anyone in the softball world, who would it be?
I’ve met her before, but I will always love getting the chance to see Coach Hutch (Carol Hutchins, former coach at Michigan and the winningest coach in NCAA softball history).

This past Fall, I got the opportunity to listen to her tell her story at the SEC Women in Leadership conference. Coach Hutch inspired me as well as many other girls there with the way she brought attention to women in sports. She will always be my role model.

What is one thing you have learned from your coach that will always stay with you?
Being aggressive and failing is better than being timid while trying to succeed.

What is something unique about you?
I grew up playing baseball for years. I started playing tee-ball when I was four years old but picked up a bat and glove at two years old. I joined the Michigan Lazers 8U travel baseball team when I was 7, being the youngest and the only girl on the team. I played up to 10U, then joined my first travel softball team, Madness 05. I have had a bat and glove in my hands for about 15 years now!

Who is your hero and why?
My hero is my brother, Al. He’s currently a junior at Grand Valley playing baseball there. He is the reason that I was ever around this sport in the first place. I actually was his baseball team’s batgirl for three years which is how I started playing baseball. I’m mostly lefty in everything that I do, thanks to him because I copied everything he did when we were little.

I’ve always looked up to Al because of the way he paved his athletic career and the way he cares for everyone around him.

What other activities/hobbies do you enjoy outside of softball?
I played many sports growing up but in high school, I took running seriously along with softball. I ran cross country and track during my freshman and sophomore years. This upcoming Spring, I plan on running track again. Running has always been good if I need to clear my mind, and always fun to compete.

What is your favorite quote or motto?
Live by the “4 H’s” – Helpful, Humble, Honest, and Hardworking.