Early Offense And Solid Pitching Lift Eagles Over Bulldogs

by John Unrein

     The Grain Valley Eagles Softball team put together timely early hitting and outstanding pitching to dispatch the visiting Kearney Bulldogs by a score of 3-1 on Monday, September 16th. Leading the Eagles charge to victory were Senior Infielder Morgan Robinson and Freshman Pitcher Hailey Hemme.
     Eagles Head Coach Garrett Ogle was pleased with his team’s victory.
     “Kearney’s pitcher caught us a little off guard in what she was throwing. It was nice to see us make some adjustments at the plate and get some hits. It permitted us to put some runs up early,” Ogle said.
     Grain Valley scored all three of their runs during the first two innings. The biggest hit of the game came from Robinson in the bottom of the first inning with two runners on base. She made solid contact with the softball that garnered a two RBI single and gave her team a lead that they would not relinquish.
     “I have been working on my hitting. I tried to get my hands to the ball by keeping the bat flat in the zone and it paid off,” Robinson said.
     “Getting a win with my team makes what we do a lot more fun.”
     Hemme equaled Robinson’s hitting with her pitching. She only allowed one earned run, two hits, and one walk across seven innings while striking out eleven Bulldogs. Hemme did not waiver in her approach as she had great tempo in being quick in between pitches in allowing her defense to stay on her their toes. That would be important as the heat of the afternoon set in with temperature in the 90’s and a heat index approaching 100 degrees.
     Hemme displayed confidence in her stuff as she was not shy about pitching to contact. Furthermore, Hemme was as quick and confident with her post game comments as she was with her pitches.
     “My key was to put the ball in the strike zone today knowing that my teammates would do a solid job fielding. I felt good on the mound because I knew my team would have my back hitting,” Hemme said.
     Ogle couldn’t help but smile when sharing his thoughts on the individual effort displayed by Hemme.
     “Hailey was outstanding. She was in the strike zone all day long except when she didn’t want to be and that was intentional. Her control was pinpoint and kept their hitters off balance,” Ogle said.
     “The one extra base hit she gave up didn’t hurt us. It was nice to see her throw like that today.”
     The Eagles faced another tough stretch of games moving past the win against Kearney. This week they will have faced Winnetonka, Grandview, and Raytown South.
     Ogle believes the keys to continued success for the Eagles will be to avoid being comfortable or becoming lackadaisical.
     “Focusing on our goals and fundamentals will allow us to win the remaining weeks and hopefully rack up some conference wins.”
 

Freshman Pitcher Hailey Hemme delivers the softball to home plate.
Photo credit: Valley News staff
 

Senior Morgan Robinson connects with the softball for a line drive single.
Photo credit: Valley News staff