Crystal Cox hasn’t forgotten.

There she was, pitching for Central Cabarrus two years ago as a freshman phenom — a diaper dandy if there ever was one — against juggernaut North Davidson and its flashy, team and flamboyant coach Mike Lambros.

Cox hasn’t forgotten because Central lost that day 1-0 to the mighty Black Knights — on her error.

“It came down to me,” sighs Cox, “and I messed it up. I told myself, ‘I’m never going to do that again.”

Crystal Cox is now a junior. And she hasn’t done that again. When she mowed down West Rowan in an 8-1 South Piedmont Conference tournament championship victory Thursday, she had led her team to its 50th straight win.

Since that 1999 loss to North Davidson, she has become North Carolina’s most recognizable softball name. She holds state records for career no-hitters (21), victories in a season (27 last year) and strikeouts in a season (363). She could equal or surpass the last two stats. She is already over 300 Ks after whiffing 10 Falcons and stands 23-0.

So, with the 3A tournament coming next week and Central Cabarrus the favorite to repeat its state title, there’s only one question remaining about Crystal Cox.

Will she ever lose again?

n

Believe it or not, there was a time when no one was sure if Cox would ever record a pitching victory.

She was 11 years old when her father, Carroll, Central’s current assistant coach, gave her a ball and basically said, “Here, try and throw this across the plate.

“There was no speed, no accuracy — in fact, she was the second pitcher,” her father exclaimed, seemingly amazed by it all now. “We got crushed by everybody in the Harrisburg Youth League 36-0, stuff like that.”

Undaunted, Daddy decided to make somebody on his team a bona fide pitcher.

He asked players and coaches from UNC Charlotte to work with his young hurlers.

“Daddy would go in the backyard and get real ill,” Carroll laughed of the days when he coached Crystal. “The poor thing. She worked hard and was under a lot of pressure. But when you get older and wiser, you realize they’re giving all they’ve got and you back off.”

Crystal didn’t back off.

“When fast-pitch came around here, it looked fun,” she said. “I said, ‘I want to do that.’”

Her father’s eyes bulged when she was 12. It was like he was watching a completely different player.

“She was dominant,” he said.

n

Dominant, that is, until the North Davidson loss.

Followed by all of those fast-pitch wins.

“I never played slow pitch,” she said.

No kidding. There’s nothing slow about her rocket arm. Cox has thrown 63 miles per hour, which in baseball is equivalent to about 97 m.p.h.

Think about facing Randy Johnson and his fastball and you can envision a Crystal Cox heater.

But she also has a changeup that had West’s young team flailing in the wind at times.

The Falcons’ coach, Vanessa Noe, was left shaking her head, despite the gutsy effort by her freshman-laden team.

“I don’t think it’s a mental thing,” Noe said of facing Cox. “I think she’s just very good. She throws the ball well and she spins it fast.

“My girls have confidence. They put the bat on the ball. (Cox)is good.”

n

Ironically, many of the home fans considered Cox’s win Thursday as an off day. She allowed three hits and going into the bottom of the sixth, the game was tied, 1-1. The Falcons, who are expected to take Central’s place as a 3A softball power beginning next season when the Vikings move up to 4A, was in position to pull the upset of the year.

But Cox remained undaunted.

“I don’t get nervous,” she shrugged.

Her father agrees. He watched her this past summer in world tournaments and showcase events.

“There were some pressure-packed situations,” he pointed out, “and she was real calm.”

n

The first thing Cox talks about is staying humble. And she is that way when asked about her recruitment.

On July 1, colleges can begin contacting her.

“I feel she can go where she wants,” said Central head coach Dennis Cook.

But Cox’s father adds, “She doesn’t want to take anything for granted. She doesn’t know if anybody’s going to contact her.”

Puh-leeze.

Cox is the best high school pitcher that anyone can remember in this state. And as the records continue to fall next year, the letters will turn into phone calls, which will turn into offers.

“I hope she stays in North Carolina,” her father said.

n

For now, there’s another state championship to claim.

“But she gets no special treatment, I promise you,” her father says sternly, noting that this was a special team and the special pitcher is simply a part of it. “We prepare our whole team. We don’t want to be pitcher-dependent.”

Carroll Cox then smiles.

“We do kinda expect her to throw a good game, every game.”

And after watching her pitch, you kinda expect Crystal Cox to never lose again.

n

Contact Ronnie Gallagher at 704-797-4256 or rgallagher@salisbury post.com