A big start by the Lady Lions
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
Ten games into the season, the Fairfield Lady Lions are off to an amazing start. Nine wins, one loss, a lot of hits, even more runs, and so many strikeouts by pitching, I have been chomping at the bit to talk about it.
But I wanted to wait until the first loss because well, I didn't want to jinx the winning streak to start a season. (What can I say, I'm superstitious when it comes to sports.)
The first 10 games by the Lady Lions have been, to say the least, eventful. They started the year with nine straight wins, and their lone loss, coming Monday, was a one-run loss to a very good Eastern Brown team on a baseball field that can be used as a softball field in Chillicothe.
What stands out with this team is their confidence.
"The biggest difference between this team this season versus last season is confidence," said FHS assistant coach Tom Purtell. "This team believes they can hit and hit in any situation. We have had key hits with two outs (this season) and have hit with runners in scoring position.
"We are not afraid to strike out and take a full hard swing at strike one and strike two. Our hands are quick, and we have great bat speed."
Here are a couple overall totals from the first 10 games: 90 runs, 109 hits and 76 RBIs. Every Lady Lion that has batted this season has gained a base hit.
Here are some more stats: 29 doubles, seven triples, five home runs, 28 walks, and 167 total bases, with a team batting average of .375.
One offensive stat I like is the Lady Lions' hits with runners in scoring position. They have 58 hits in those situations, with a slugging percentage of .574.
"The Fairfield Lady Lions have historically been very offensively minded. The 2000 Lady Lions averaged over 10 runs per game, 11 hits per game, and had a team batting average of .353 for that season," Purtell said after five games this season. "We have been surprised by the early season production. We entered the season with only facing live pitching once. We are also surprised how well we hit in the cold weather."
Those are some good numbers through 10 games, but numbers don't make the team, so to speak.
One thing anyone can notice about the Lady Lions is not only the fact they are very talented at softball, but they seem to have fun, and they are smart when it comes to the actual game. They are always talking strategy and are always into the game.
"Focus" is the word that comes to mind.
If you don't believe me, let's go back to the numbers. FHS has seven players with 11 or more hits, five players with 11 or more runs, and three players with 10 or more RBIs.
That is focus.
But there is something else that stands out from the pitching by Lauren Larrick, the hitting of Abby Thackston, the runs-scoring ability of Danielle Butler, the run-producing by Shelby Smithson or the coaching by the top-notch staff at Fairfield. All of that we'll get back to later.
No, what stands out the most ... what fuels the Lady Lions during games are the cheers from the dugout. If you've seen FHS play, then you have heard something similar to this ... "F-O-U-L, foul ball, straight[en] it out, try again ..."
If I butcher these cheers, I apologize.
You also might have heard this coming from the dugout ... "Shelby's up to bat. If I were you and you were me, I'd scoot my booty back ..."
Smithson, this year, once hit a van on a home run swing. After 10 games, the freshman has 14 hits, 14 RBIs and 12 runs.
Yeah, I'd scoot my booty back, too.
Another cheer the Lady Lions have taken to heart is this one: "Hit it ... Rip it ... Hit it, rip it, knock it out ... hit it, rip it, knock it out ..."
Through 10 games, FHS is averaging 10.9 hits per game and 9 runs per game. Their highest run total in a game this year is 19, and their lowest is one. They won a game this season 2-1 against Greenfield.
The Lady Lions have beaten teams from three different divisions.
To go with all the offense is the pitching from Larrick. I can't say enough about how the junior pitcher plays the game. When she's in the circle, more than likely she'll be taking over.
While pitching to battery mate Whitney Hanenkrat, who is also a junior, Larrick is 9-1 with 65 innings pitched. She has allowed 29 hits and 13 runs (six earned), with an ERA of 0.54.
"Lauren and Whitney were both All-Southern Hills League and All-Southeast District players last year as sophomores," Purtell said. "They do make each other better. They both work hard every day in practice.
"Lauren pitches year-round and faithfully sees her pitching coach, Jodi Eickemeyer (former head softball coach at the University of Dayton)."
Larrick has a fastball, curve ball, drop ball, rise ball and multiple change-ups in her arsenal of pitches to choose from.
If you are a fan of strikeouts, she does that too ... tallying 93 in 10 games. She has one no-hitter this season, two one-hitters and two two-hitters. Batters are hitting .127 against her, and she's walked just eight.
"A dominating pitcher and catcher are very important to the team's success," Purtell said. "They give your team a chance to win every game."
So after 10 games, the 2011 Lady Lion team is the best I've had the opportunity to watch. They have hitting, pitching and defense, so I can't wait to see what the rest of the season brings.
You can't forget the defense. Their defense has made some outstanding catches in both the infield and outfield.
I can't say it enough ... this team plays smart, and one thing is a given with the Fairfield Lady Lions ... they will play with confidence.
Oh, and one more cheer ... "You can do it, put a little power to it!"
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com.[[In-content Ad]]
But I wanted to wait until the first loss because well, I didn't want to jinx the winning streak to start a season. (What can I say, I'm superstitious when it comes to sports.)
The first 10 games by the Lady Lions have been, to say the least, eventful. They started the year with nine straight wins, and their lone loss, coming Monday, was a one-run loss to a very good Eastern Brown team on a baseball field that can be used as a softball field in Chillicothe.
What stands out with this team is their confidence.
"The biggest difference between this team this season versus last season is confidence," said FHS assistant coach Tom Purtell. "This team believes they can hit and hit in any situation. We have had key hits with two outs (this season) and have hit with runners in scoring position.
"We are not afraid to strike out and take a full hard swing at strike one and strike two. Our hands are quick, and we have great bat speed."
Here are a couple overall totals from the first 10 games: 90 runs, 109 hits and 76 RBIs. Every Lady Lion that has batted this season has gained a base hit.
Here are some more stats: 29 doubles, seven triples, five home runs, 28 walks, and 167 total bases, with a team batting average of .375.
One offensive stat I like is the Lady Lions' hits with runners in scoring position. They have 58 hits in those situations, with a slugging percentage of .574.
"The Fairfield Lady Lions have historically been very offensively minded. The 2000 Lady Lions averaged over 10 runs per game, 11 hits per game, and had a team batting average of .353 for that season," Purtell said after five games this season. "We have been surprised by the early season production. We entered the season with only facing live pitching once. We are also surprised how well we hit in the cold weather."
Those are some good numbers through 10 games, but numbers don't make the team, so to speak.
One thing anyone can notice about the Lady Lions is not only the fact they are very talented at softball, but they seem to have fun, and they are smart when it comes to the actual game. They are always talking strategy and are always into the game.
"Focus" is the word that comes to mind.
If you don't believe me, let's go back to the numbers. FHS has seven players with 11 or more hits, five players with 11 or more runs, and three players with 10 or more RBIs.
That is focus.
But there is something else that stands out from the pitching by Lauren Larrick, the hitting of Abby Thackston, the runs-scoring ability of Danielle Butler, the run-producing by Shelby Smithson or the coaching by the top-notch staff at Fairfield. All of that we'll get back to later.
No, what stands out the most ... what fuels the Lady Lions during games are the cheers from the dugout. If you've seen FHS play, then you have heard something similar to this ... "F-O-U-L, foul ball, straight[en] it out, try again ..."
If I butcher these cheers, I apologize.
You also might have heard this coming from the dugout ... "Shelby's up to bat. If I were you and you were me, I'd scoot my booty back ..."
Smithson, this year, once hit a van on a home run swing. After 10 games, the freshman has 14 hits, 14 RBIs and 12 runs.
Yeah, I'd scoot my booty back, too.
Another cheer the Lady Lions have taken to heart is this one: "Hit it ... Rip it ... Hit it, rip it, knock it out ... hit it, rip it, knock it out ..."
Through 10 games, FHS is averaging 10.9 hits per game and 9 runs per game. Their highest run total in a game this year is 19, and their lowest is one. They won a game this season 2-1 against Greenfield.
The Lady Lions have beaten teams from three different divisions.
To go with all the offense is the pitching from Larrick. I can't say enough about how the junior pitcher plays the game. When she's in the circle, more than likely she'll be taking over.
While pitching to battery mate Whitney Hanenkrat, who is also a junior, Larrick is 9-1 with 65 innings pitched. She has allowed 29 hits and 13 runs (six earned), with an ERA of 0.54.
"Lauren and Whitney were both All-Southern Hills League and All-Southeast District players last year as sophomores," Purtell said. "They do make each other better. They both work hard every day in practice.
"Lauren pitches year-round and faithfully sees her pitching coach, Jodi Eickemeyer (former head softball coach at the University of Dayton)."
Larrick has a fastball, curve ball, drop ball, rise ball and multiple change-ups in her arsenal of pitches to choose from.
If you are a fan of strikeouts, she does that too ... tallying 93 in 10 games. She has one no-hitter this season, two one-hitters and two two-hitters. Batters are hitting .127 against her, and she's walked just eight.
"A dominating pitcher and catcher are very important to the team's success," Purtell said. "They give your team a chance to win every game."
So after 10 games, the 2011 Lady Lion team is the best I've had the opportunity to watch. They have hitting, pitching and defense, so I can't wait to see what the rest of the season brings.
You can't forget the defense. Their defense has made some outstanding catches in both the infield and outfield.
I can't say it enough ... this team plays smart, and one thing is a given with the Fairfield Lady Lions ... they will play with confidence.
Oh, and one more cheer ... "You can do it, put a little power to it!"
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com.[[In-content Ad]]