Published: May 13, 2008 12:08 am            

Cullman’s Cork sisters may be playing together for the last time

This weekend’s state softball tournament in Montgomery will mark the end of a high school playing career for each of Cullman High’s three sophomores.

But for Lacey Cork, who recently signed a scholarship to play college ball at Faulkner, this weekend’s action could mark the end of another era.

“Ever since we could play, we’ve played together,” Cork said of her sister, Lesley. Next season, with Lacey at Faulkner, the pair will not be on the same team for the first time in years. “It’s going to be really different next year.”

Lesley, a junior right fielder, will still be in Cullman next spring when Lacey takes the field at Faulkner. And though it’ll be different, it might not be all bad.

“I played summer ball without her one year, and I liked it,” Lesley said, quick to point out she enjoys playing softball with Lacey. “But it’s not like I’m saying I don’t want her on the team.”

Without the elder Cork — and Allison Meriwether and Cassie Gable, Cullman’s other two seniors — the Lady Bearcats will need some new leaders to step up.

“We’re only losing three seniors, but they’re a big part of the team,” said Lesley.

Pushed to say whether she’d step up into that role, Lesley said she’d be up for the challenge.

“I’ll follow in her footsteps, for lack of better words,” she said.

Even though she said she’d follow Lacey’s lead, Lesley might just be her sister’s polar opposite. Low-key and not as talkative as her sister, Lesley defers to Lacey when asked a question — not that she doesn’t have anything to say.

“I guess people would say I’m not as talkative as (Lacey),” said Lesley after the pair completed practice Monday.

But, joking, she added: “But I’m nicer.”

That was something Lacey could agree with.

“You can pretty much always hear me,” she said. “I yell a lot.”

“I do too,” Lesley added, “but her voice sticks out more.”

No matter who talks more, the sisters agreed that playing together again after high school would be a welcome bonus.

“Maybe we could play college ball together too,” said Lacey. “Our parents would about cry they’d be so happy.

“Now they always talk about our two daughters playing in the state tournament.”

        

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