Tough Loss to Tight Twin Lakes Team

BY JEFF WASHBURN • JWASHBURN@JCONLINE.COM • MAY 21, 2009


Considering Twin Lakes junior pitcher Tabby Bonnell's state of mind during the 25-minute bus ride from Monticello to Harrison on Wednesday, it's amazing she got through the first inning.

"They are really good," Bonnell said of the Class 4A Raiders. "I'm not new at pitching, but I have butterflies every time out.

"Facing a high quality team like Harrison, the butterflies flap a lot harder, especially on the bus on the way here. I was thinking, 'Oh, no, what can go wrong?' "

Not only did the nervous Bonnell finish the first inning, the right-hander pitched a complete-game seven-hitter in Twin Lakes' 1-0 victory.

Bonnell provided the game's only run, lining an 0-2 pitch for an RBI single with two outs in the top of the fifth, driving home catcher Sarah McIlrath, who opened the inning with a single.

"It was a protective swing," Bonnell said. "The pitch was outside, and I just carried it where it was suppose to go. It dropped in. It felt good right off the bat.

"This is great, because this is the game we have been looking forward to. We know going into the sectional that there are going to be quality teams like this every single day."

Harrison (19-7), which has lost consecutive games to Carmel, Noblesville and Twin Lakes, threatened to win it in the bottom of the sixth.

With runners at second and third with two outs, losing pitcher Morgan Stephens (10-4) lined a shot that Bonnell reached down and fielded, throwing Stephens out at first.

"All of them when you field them on the pitcher's mound are tough," Bonnell said. "You put your glove down there, and whoa, there it is.

"You have to calm yourself and make a good throw to first. Had that ball gotten by me, it would have been awful. I looked down, and I felt it hit. I was like, 'Is this real?' "

Twin Lakes coach Desiree Swaim was well aware Bonnell was nervous in anticipation of facing the Hoosier Crossroads Conference opponent.

"(Bonnell) helped herself with her offense as well as with her pitching," Swaim said. "That was awesome. She did an absolutely outstanding job. She was a little nervous coming in. We were like, 'Why?' She did the job."

win Lakes' defense, led by shortstop Katie Reiff, second baseman Hillary Banks and right fielder Presley Estes, was excellent, turning a pair of double plays.

"Absolutely, we made the plays in the field," Swaim said. "Everybody played well. We were struggling at the bat at the beginning and made adjustments.

"It absolutely is a good game for us going into the sectional. This last week, we've seen slower pitchers. This week, we were eager to play Harrison."

For Harrison coach Abby Willis, it was a matter of situational hitting. During the consecutive losses to Carmel, Noblesville and Twin Lakes, the Raiders have 12 total hits and three runs.

"We had a lot of hits, just not the timely one," Willis said. "At this point, we have played a lot of good softball. We are not happy with losses, but we've practiced only three times this entire month because of makeup games and rain.

"So, we're using our games as practice. We're really trying to prepare for the sectional. We're trying to execute plays, bunting and slaps ... all of the finesse things. I was happy with what they did at the plate. (Twin Lakes) made some phenomenal defensive plays. They are a good glove team."

(All photos are the property of the Brent Drinkut and the Lafayette Journal & Courier -- please do not copy without permission)

By Brent Drinkut/Journal & Courier -- Harrison's Jordyn Garrett hits a ball against Twin Lakes on Wednesday, May 20, 2009.


By Brent Drinkut/Journal & Courier -- Twin Lakes third baseman Chelsea Hicks tags out Harrison base runner Michelle Henrich during a game on Wednesday, May 20, 2009.


By Brent Drinkut/Journal & Courier -- Twin Lakes second baseman Sarah McIlrath attempts to tag Harrison's Abbey Scowden on Wednesday, May 20, 2009.


By Brent Drinkut/Journal & Courier -- Harrison center fielder Haley Baker catches a pop fly against Twin Lakes on Wednesday, May 20, 2009.


By Brent Drinkut/Journal & Courier -- Harrison catcher Ashley Courtney throws the ball back to the pitcher against Twin Lakes on Wednesday, May 20, 2009.


By Brent Drinkut/Journal & Courier -- Harrison's Jaden Spitznagle bats against Twin Lakes on Wednesday, May 20, 2009.


By Brent Drinkut/Journal & Courier -- Harrison center fielder Haley Baker scoops up a ball against Twin Lakes on Wednesday, May 20, 2009.


By Brent Drinkut/Journal & Courier -- Harrison third baseman Megan Huston throws to first for a force out against Twin Lakes on Wednesday, May 20, 2009.


By Brent Drinkut/Journal & Courier -- Harrison shortstop Megan Mitchell looks back towards the dugout against Twin Lakes on Wednesday, May 20, 2009.


By Brent Drinkut/Journal & Courier -- Harrison pitcher Morgan Stephens winds up against Twin Lakes on Wednesday, May 20, 2009.

Raiders Fare Well in Twin Lakes

Here's  sites from the play by the Raiders during the Twin Lakes Invitational Tournament over this past weekend.  Check back soon as this entry grows with further pics and stories....

12-1!!

Oh, yeah!  12-1!  The Raiders roll on!

This evening included sunshine, a slight breeze, a very brief shower and a 3-1 victory of the Brownsburg Bulldogs!

(sorry, no pics on this one)

Way to go, Raiders!!

PS -- Thanks for doing it in regulation this time!!

Pass the antacids, please...

Monday night found the Harrison softball team jetting down I-65 for a match-up against the Zionsville Eagles.

The JV diamond got rolling first -- and roll they did.

Here is freshman phenom Molly Spitznagle keeping things zippin' from the circle! (Remember that name, folks, we are talking 'just wait to see what's to come!' from this young lady!)

Focused intensity down the third base line -- gotta love it!

Raider first baseman Nikki Harrison:  "This is so easy, I can do it with my eyes closed!" 


The JV Raiders would post a 5-0 victory!

Meanwhile, over on the varsity diamond, Ashley "The Machine" Courtney is at it again -- love to see this girl hit!

An Eagles batter got a hold of a hanging riseball and sent it into center field, but no worries, Haley Baker's got it--doesn't she?

Senior leader Michelle Henrich grinding out the basepaths for the Raiders

Uh-oh -- seems that Zionsville thirdbaseman has it out for you, Michelle!

Ashley getting ready to gobble one up behind the plate

OK, now I am not usually one to talk finances, but this season has me presenting one piece of advice to all Raider Softball fans -- invest in Zantac stock!  (that would be a big-time antacid medication -- great for those of us living under too much stress!)   Here we are, bottom of seven -- well, I will let the scoreboard speak for itself:

Stephens in the circle, bases loaded, Raider defense at the ready....

Here's the pitch...

STRIKE THREE!!!!!!!!!!  (on to extra innings, once again this season!!)

The Raiders and Eagles stayed tangled at zero for two more innings.  (Perhaps someone needs to tell these ladies these games are supposed to be played out in seven innings....)

Top of ten:  outstanding second baseman Jaden Spitznagle (oh, how I wish I had been in position to capture her amazing hanging onto the bag to get the girl out at first play earlier -- splendid!!!) (oh, did I mention she's a freshman!  Yeah --the future looks bright for the Raiders!!) -- oh, back to the top of the tenth...  Jaden drew a walk to start then inning.  Then, Mighty Mouse was up to bat (that would be Miss Haley Baker) and she drops a pretty little shot into shallow right -- uh hah -- that's what we're talking about!

Here Baker tells Coach Mike Willis, "You may kiss my hand."  (well, maybe not, but he probably would have!).

A little mishandling in the field and Miss Jaden is on her way home!  Is it just me, or does she look like she is being so polite as she scores?!

Who does that bring up?!! "The Machine" Ashley Courtney who, once again, smacks it! (yeah, I know, Ashley hits another clutch hit this season--it's getting boring...NOT!!). 

Unfortunately, they got Haley at third.  But that's just two outs and here comes JG (Jordyn Garrett)-- the Queen of Smack (as in with the bat, not talkin'!).

And, then, the call of the night!!  This shot is certainly no where near in focus, but clear enough to tell the story -- Garrett beat out the throw!  Alas, the field umpire did not agree and a called the third out.

BUT, there is a happy ending to our potentially soured tale, the Raiders defense held on in the bottom of the tenth and the victory was theirs, 1-0.  

Hat's off to both sides -- the Lady Eagles played one heck of a game against our Raiders and no one can complain about a lack of excitment!

Now, as we head to the field at Harrison to watch our Raiders face the Brownsburg Bulldogs this evening--Ladies, do you think you could just win it in seven?!!

Momentary Update

OK, waaaay too much time has pasted since I have last had a chance to update the world on the AWESOME Raider Softball team -- and I really don't have time right now.  BUT, I simply cannot face Coach Abby tomorrow night without having put up something, so here is my brief, but ever powerful blog entry for tonight:

10-1, baby!!  That's right, the Raider Ladies are kickin' butt!! 

I'll try to get to the play-by-play soon, but here are a few tidbits from the weekends' action and a glimpse of their shining faces after adding two more tally marks to the victory column Saturday (defeating CC 5-0 and Frontier 7-0).

Brooke Jordan, bringin' the heat for Raiders (another shut-out from the circle as Harrison blanks CC Saturday morning)

Whoa!  Can you see the ball?  No?  Neither can anyone else because it's OVER THE FENCE -- Megan Mitchell cranks a two run homer in the 4th

Oh, the drama!  This play at second is too close to call (although the field umpire called #23 out).


"

Jordyn Garrett with a sweet swing of the bat for another Raider hit!

I'm not sure about her pitching skills, but Morgan Stephens wins hands down in the "most animated facial expressions" categories (oh, you should see what I could have posted!!) -- OK, her pitching isn't too bad either -- 17Ks, one hit v. Frontier on Saturday 

Haley Baker shows why she's known as "Super Slider"  (oh, she's not?!  perhaps she should be -- have you thought of that?!)

Aren't they just tooooooo cute!  All that beauty -- and they can take you down, too!

"Huh?  What?  Are any of you listening to me?  Ever?!!"

Catcher Extraordinaire -- Ashley Courtney

Don't ask -- even those present couldn't figure this one out.

Here's what Nathan Baird of the Lafayette Journal & Courier had to say about the games:

Harrison's 1-2 punch knocks out CC, Frontier
BY NATHAN BAIRD • NBAIRD@JCONLINE.COM • MAY 3, 2009

Brooke Jordan set the tone for Harrison's pitching excellence on Saturday.

Morgan Stephens followed with another dose of dominance.

The Raiders duo, reunited after an arm injury kept Jordan out of the pitching circle for two weeks, allowed three total hits in shutout victories over Central Catholic and Class A No. 8 Frontier.

"It's always been a competition between us, but when it comes down to the end, we're a team and we're teammates," said Jordan, who has not allowed an earned run in 37 innings this season. "Other teams are our competition. We're not against each other, we're together."

Jordan threw a two-hitter and struck out eight in a 5-0 victory over Central Catholic. Stephens fanned 17 and took a no-hitter into the sixth before settling for a one-hit, 6-0 win.

In between, the Knights avenged last year's regional loss by edging Frontier 8-7.

Including three straight victories by Stephens before Saturday, Harrison pitchers have allowed one run in their last 35 innings. That run came in a 1-0 loss to Lake Central, the only blemish on the Raiders' 10-1 record.

"It's awesome to have that two-pitcher system, and to know that if I struggle she can come in, or vice versa," Stephens said. "You always do, in the back of your mind, think you want to pitch just as well. I don't think it's really wanting to out-do her. Both of you want to succeed and you want to do it for the team."

Jordan (4-0) hadn't pitched since a four-hit shutout at Portage on April 18. The junior said she began experiencing forearm pain after pitching a 14-inning victory over Logansport in the second game of the season.

"I was a little nervous to see how I would do," Jordan said. "I knew I had my defense behind me. We did our hitting part, so I didn't really have anything to worry about."

Megan Mitchell's two-run home run in the fourth inning against CC gave Jordan a 3-0 cushion. Mitchell also went 3-for-3 against Frontier, and her two-run double in the first provided all the support Stephens needed.

Stephens (6-1) struck out the side in the second, fourth, fifth and sixth innings and has fanned 87 in 47 innings this season. Frontier No. 9 hitter Audrey Barnard slapped a single to left field with one out in the sixth to break up the no-hitter.

Natalee Gruse's RBI groundout for CC in the top of the seventh broke a 5-5 tie against Frontier. An errant throw across the diamond on the play allowed Brittney Adams to score an important insurance run.

Chelsey Heath's RBI groundout in the bottom of the seventh pulled the Falcons within one. But Gruse, who pitched the first five innings and went back out for the seventh, coaxed a pair of groundouts to end the game.

"We knew we had to hit and that's what we focused on coming in and that's what we did," said Gruse, who finished with four RBIs.

The Falcons committed five errors against CC that led to three unearned runs -- including both runs in the seventh.

"When you make errors like that, there's no way you can come back," said Frontier senior Kelsey Mullen, who went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs but took the loss. "We just had a really terrible defensive game."

Is that a barn I smell burning?

Nope, that's coming from the Harrison softball field.  Yup, that's what Raider fans were treated to this evening -- a barn burner!  (forgive me, it's late).  This evening's contest pitted the Lady Raiders against a strong Logansport Berries team.  The game, as it would turn out, was very much a defensive battle -- leaving the scoreboard entryless at the end of regulation (ok, it would be simpler to say it was 0-0 at the end of seven innings, but what fun would that be?!) 

Then, well, here's a little taste of how the evening went... 

Early on in the game everyone had a "hold your breath moment" as shortstop Megan Mitchell tipped a batted ball with her glove, dig a mini=juggling act with it and then went crashing to the ground -- with the ball IN her glove!  Way to go, Megan!

Solid defensive play by freshman Jayden Spitznagel helped the Raiders keep things tight in the infield

A hit, followed by an error on Raider first baseman Morgan Stephens, put the Berries on the board first -- leading 1-0 in the 10th inning.  Yes, the Raiders were down, but certainly not out.  In the bottom of that inning, Stephens lead off with a hot shot which came off the bat so hard it careened right under the Logansport short stop and Stephens was aboard.  Valuing the speed and agility of freshman Kristen Fuller, Coach Willis put Fuller on the bags in Stephens' place.  

 
Here Kristen got a few instructions from Coach Willis during a tense time out.  

With Fuller on and two outs,  Jordyn Garrett stepped to the plate and shot a screaming line drive out to center field! (boy, that was pretty!)  Fuller scored to tie up the game and Garrett lands safely at second base in front of the throw.

Yeah, Raider fans were all smiling with your Jordyn!!!

The 1-1 stalemate continued until the top of the 14th inning when a string of hits by Logansport would load up the bases and then on the closest of calls, ball four would walk in a run.  Berries up 2-1.  

Things were quiet but focused in the third base dugout as Harrison got their chance at the plate one last time.  Brooke Jordan (who pitched all fourteen innings for the Raiders) lead off for the Raiders stroking a single out to left field.  Morgan Stephens then laid down the sac bunt to push Brooke over to second. Megan Mitchell would follow with a walk to put two on.  A quick pop-up = Two outs.

Here catcher Ashley Courtney takes a peek at the scoreboard as the pitch count grows.

Then once again Jordyn Garrett and her mighty bat were at the plate -- and, unlike the Mighty Casey -- Jordyn did NOT strike out.  There was joy in Raiderville (I told you, it's late) for it was another double for Miss Jordyn, Brooke Jordan scored and it was a tie game once again.

But that would not be the final word (obviously, the game is tied) -- and up to the plate came freshman Jordan DeBoy.  A solid shot off the bat got Mitchell flying round the bases and an overthrow of first allowed Mitchell to come home and gave the Raiders the victory!


Final score:  Harrison 3 -- Logansport 2

Did I mention, there was joy in Raiderville?!

Lest it be minimized in my tale here, hats off to the Lady Berries.  They played one dynamite game.  Their defense, in particular, was superb and a treat to watch.  Best of luck with the remainder of what is sure to be a fabulous season for you all!