The young women were rival pitchers in high school, but at Lipscomb, they play with each other.
During their senior year in high school, they pitched against each other in the Region 5-AA semifinals. Cartwright (Goodpasture, 18-4) pitched a two-hitter, struck out 14 and walked none while Thomas (Lipscomb Academy, 10-13) pitched a three-hitter, struck out 15 and walked none in her final high school game.
Their positions aren’t their only similarities — both were homecoming queens their senior year and have been roommates at Lipscomb the past two years.
“We had a mutual friend who said ‘Hey, ya’ll should room together’ and so we met up and here we are,” Thomas said.
Since her time on the high school mound, Cartwright has switched positions and is the Lady Bisons’ starting third baseman.
Thomas, standing at 5-11, is listed as the third pitcher in the line-up and has seen action in relief several times this season.
While there is sisterhood and similarity, the two have different types of personalities.
Cartwright said she loves competition. She said she trives off it, and that is obvious.
“When I’m challenged to something I just know that I want to win — like I’m gonna win and that’s all I think about,” Cartwright said.
During her time at Goodpasture she also lettered in basketball and is known as a pool shark by her close friends.
On the other hand, Thomas said she enjoys writing outside of being on the field.
“I would much rather just go climb up in a tree and write,” Thomas said. “I love to write. I love words. I love language.”
While these two may have different personalities, their hearts are the same.
“We and the other sophomores meet up at least once a week just to talk about where we’ve seen God and just what’s going on in life,” Cartwright said.
“We felt like we got to a point where we just needed to meet up, and it’s something we hold each other accountable to,” Cartwright said. “God is first in everything.”