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Diabetes doesn't slow her down: Morgan plays with passion atop Ozark lineup

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The consensus among Ozark's coaching staff in the pre-season was Natalie Morgan's personality and playing style made her a prime choice to be the Lady Tigers' new leadoff hitter.

She has jumped from fifth in the batting order a year ago to leadoff all season this year. It's been her first experience at any level at the top of a lineup.

"It's very different and kind of scary sometimes," Morgan said. "But all the coaches like how intense I am at the plate — they think I can get everybody motivated and ready to go."

With Morgan supplying power and getting on base consistently, Ozark's offense has been on the upswing and the Lady Tigers are on top of the COC. They went from averaging 2.7 runs a game in their first seven contests to putting up 6 runs a night over their last 15 games.

All-stater Abby Ford was at the top of Ozark's lineup last season and the Lady Tigers averaged 5 runs a game.

Morgan has proven to be a spark plug offensively, as well as playing with the same passion behind the plate as Ozark's catcher. In the spring, she plays soccer for the Lady Tigers.

Little wonder over the last five years people have been surprised upon learning Morgan has had diabetes since she was 11 years old.

"When they find out, they're like, 'You have that?'" Morgan said. "I try to keep everybody thinking about me the same. It doesn't affect me or how I play."

It was the result of repeated episodes at a softball tournament that Morgan discovered she has diabetes.

"I was pitching at the time and I would pitch and then go to the bathroom and I would hit and then I would go to the bathroom," she said. "I had to go to the restroom every inning and I was eating so much. I didn't feel right. My Mom is a nurse practitioner, so she saw the signs. The next day, she took a sample of my blood and we found out."

Ever since, Morgan has been mindful to check on her blood sugar level. Advances in technology over the years have helped in that regard.

"I have a continuous glucose monitor and it goes to my phone every five minutes," she said. "That's how I read it during the game. Everybody's like, 'You get to have your phone out (in the dugout).' I'm like, 'Well, I'd rather not.'"

Morgan hasn't had an episode in which her blood sugar level dropped significantly during a practice or game.

"It stays pretty good during games," she said. "A lot of adrenaline makes it go up a little bit, but I'd rather it be up than have it be lower."

"She fights through it and knows how to monitor it well," coach Jimmy Nimmo said. "She's open about when she doesn't feel well. She has good communication with me. She treats it like she should. She's a fighter."

Morgan isn't the only area athlete with diabetes. Sparta basketball player Kavan Walker has diabetes and cystic fibrosis.

Morgan hopes their stories can serve as motivation.

"A lot of people, when they do get (diabetes), think they can't do this or that because it's going to affect them," Morgan said. "But that's not how it works. I'd like to encourage people. As long as you're mindful of your blood sugar level and stay on top of it, nothing is going to happen."


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