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?!!

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!