ali Harrod, 19-year-old sophomore and softball player at Florida State University, is no average athlete. Originally from Ephesus, Georgia, and a graduate of Heard County High School, Cali helped lead her high school to its first state championship in any sport, as the Heard County Braves softball team earned the GHSA AA title on Nov. 1, 2014. Cali's record throughout high school was outstanding. As a senior, she batted .545 with 12 doubles, two triples, six home runs, 28 RBIs, 35 stolen bases and 48 runs scored. She was also named the AA Player of the Year and was voted as the top athlete, among all sports, in all of Heard County. Her success and hard work on the softball field, as well as graduating in the top 20 in her class, is what led to the opportunity of an athletic scholarship at FSU, where she began attending in 2015. Cali was an outstanding asset to the team during her first FSU softball season in 2016. Starting all 65 games at shortstop for the Seminoles as a freshman, she helped FSU reach the Women's College World Series for the second time in three seasons and win its 14th ACC Championship. Cali batted .253 (40for-158) with nine doubles, two triples, five home runs and 26 RBls, and added 31 walks, 27 stolen bases and 45 runs scored during the season. She has one brother, Ryan Harrod, who is a senior at Valdosta State University, and her parents are Roger and Charlene Harrod. Cali enjoys
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swimming and spending time with family and friends, watching movies and playing different sports – Cali played soccer and basketball as a young girl. While at FSU, she lives in an apartment in Tallahassee with three of her teammates: Anna Shelnutt (who is also from Heard County), Mia Lacy and Jasmine Palmer. Her major at FSU is in sports management. West Georgia Woman: Tell me what you love about softball. Cali Harrod: I enjoy playing softball because it's fun. It’s really challenging and competitive, and I enjoy that part of it. I have met so many wonderful friends that I will have forever because of this game. I love it because it’s like my escape from everything else in my life. It’s kind of like my safe haven. It has taught me how to deal with failure and work hard for what you want and that dreams come true. WGW: What did it take to get to this point in your life as a player? CH: I practiced a lot with my dad and brother growing up. My brother played baseball so I was always out at the field in Ephesus playing catch with him and my dad. I started playing T-ball when I was 4 years old and just kept playing. I started playing travel ball when I was about 8 and started taking private lessons at about 12 years old or so. I loved every bit of it. WGW: Who has invested in you as a player? CH: My family has invested so much into me. They are my rocks and biggest supporters and I am very lucky. My brother and dad are always willing to throw with me or put the ball on the tee as I hit, even to this day when I go home on breaks. My family is always pushing me to be better and to go further than I think I can. They always come to my games and cheer me on and have made me into the person and player I am today. WGW: What keeps you motivated?
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