The two best high school softball pitchers in the country know each other quite well because they both call San Diego County home.
San Marcos High School’s Payton Tidd was named California’s Ms. Softball, the award that goes to the best player in the state. This award comes just a few days after Cathedral Catholic High School’s Megan Faraimo, who Tidd beat in the CIF championship game, was named Gatorade Pitcher of the Year.
It was that result that likely gave the nod to Tidd, who is the first San Diego section player to earn the state’s player of the year award since Lisa Dodd in 2003. For the last half decade or so Tidd and Faraimo have been pushing each other to be better, but not in a combative way.
“I wouldn’t say rivalry,” said Tidd. “We’re pretty good friends but she’s definitely my biggest competition.”
Tidd’s numbers are ridiculous. Her senior year she went 25-2 with a 0.47 earned run average and 180 strikeouts in 133 innings. She’s heading to Notre Dame next year to play for the Fighting Irish.
And after that, now that softball is returning to the Olympic Games, Payton Tidd just might have a chance to win a gold medal.
“I would love that,” said Tidd. “That’s definitely a goal that I have. It would be super cool to be able to play for Team USA and play for this country.”
