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.
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