Striking Out Cancer

Taylor Dockins made FACES IN THE CROWD last June after winning her 104th game on the mound for Norco (Calif.) High, a CIF--Southern Section record. If that weren't impressive enough, she did it less than a year after completing treatment for fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma, a rare liver cancer. A few weeks after the season, though, doctors found three new tumors in her liver. She underwent radiation therapy again, but there are still three spots on her right lung, and she is currently on the liver transplant list. Still, that hasn't stopped Dockins from pitching. The Cal State--Fullerton freshman was the opening day pitcher, throwing six shutout innings against Rutgers. Through nine games she has a 2.75 ERA. Softball keeps her going. "I've watched the Titans play since I was little," she says. "To be on this field, to be playing the game that I love, is amazing."