A second state softball title was a senior goal for Lexington High School catcher Sarah Gordon.

The Louisville signee can instead take satisfaction in achieving another first.

On Thursday, Gordon was named the South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year. She’s the third Lexington player to receive the award, which “recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field.” 

Past winners were Demetris Summers in football (2001) and Kira Campbell in soccer (2007-08).

“I’m so grateful to be given this award, but I couldn’t have done it without all the amazing players who came before me who helped me grow throughout my years in Lexington,” Gordon said. “Impact players like Allie Light and Hannah Kumiyama showed me how hard work really is displayed in your game and that is something I have emphasized in my career as well. 

“This past season did not go the way we wanted in the end. However, our team grew closer than ever. With a few injuries to key players, like Peri Rouilliard, it pushed us to appreciate each game given to us and lean on every one of our teammates to win big games like we did. I’m forever grateful for everything Lexington has taught and given me because I have made life long friends there.”

Gordon batted .598 with 52 RBI, 28 stolen bases and 19 home runs in leading the Lady Wildcats to a 27-4 record, a second Class 5A Lower State title in four years and state runner-up. Her home run total was the team’s highest since University of South Carolina junior Kumiyama had 17 during Gordon’s freshman championship season of 2019.

“She just sees the ball so well and there’s not much room for mistakes to her — she will make you pay dearly,” White Knoll High School head coach April Farr said. “She’s a major team leader and she leads their defense behind the plate. She has an extremely strong arm and I know we could not steal on her.”

During the postseason, Gordon had nine home runs, including three games in which she had two, and was intentionally walked seven times. She was only pitched to once by eventual state champion Fort Mill after game one of the best-of-three series final.

In attention to Gordon’s athletic success, she’s a member of the National Honor Society with a 3.85 GPA. Gordon has volunteered locally on behalf of the Special Olympics, Unified Sports and Students in Action, a Lexington High group that recently organized a donation drive for Ukraine.

Gordon and teammate Riley Ford will play in the S.C. Coaches Association of Women’s Sports All-Star Games set for June 14-15 at the University of South Carolina-Aiken. In addition, she’s now a finalist for the national Gatorade Player of the Year award to be announced in June. 

“I am extremely proud of Sarah,” Lexington head coach Laurie Epps said. “She has dedicated her time and talents to the game for many years. Receiving  this honor tops off her amazing career at Lexington. More importantly, Sarah’s character far exceeds her athletic abilities. She is humble, respectful and a true leader.”