Lapel softball starts 3-1, ready for a tough season

LAPEL —  If opening games set the tone for the remaining games of the season, then the Lapel softball team is playing in the right direction.
Despite many days of cold, wind and rain preventing the team from practice time on the field, the Bulldogs opened their season with a 12-9 win over last year’s state runner-up team, Elwood. The Bulldogs were still brushing off the rust, but Coach Scott Rich believes his team is geared for a very competitive season. “It’s a promising thing because that’s a very good team we went over there and beat.
“For the most part, all of our juniors and seniors who are returning started quite a bit last year,” Rich said.

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The Bulldogs lost just one senior from last year, Brooke Daniels, who pitched much of the season. However, senior Sophie Cline, junior Chloe Bousman and freshman Avery Bailey will take duties on the mound.
Cline and Bousman will share most of the games.
“I really don’t have a No. 1,” Rich said. “It’s all going to be by committee. We’ll start one and go as long as she can go.”
He’ll expect the next one to step up and continue. Bailey hasn’t been tested, but so far, Rich said he likes what he’s seeing from her. “She’s very methodical, very focused. She just works.”
Pitching may be the test for Lapel — not because its lineup is weak but rather because the Bulldogs will counting on finesse.
“We don’t have that power pitcher that’s going to blow the ball by people. So we need to make sure we’ve got good control and good command every time we step into the circle,” Rich said.
As for team leaders, Rich expects all his upperclassmen to set the example for the freshmen and sophomores.
Senior catcher Jasmine Hazelbaker wants the younger girls to learn one aspect of the game fast.
“I want to make sure they don’t get intimidated by anything. I want them to know this is a game of failure.”
By realizing everyone is going to fail at some point, she wants the early lesson to be one of learning to pick yourself up and go on.
Offensively, the Bulldogs have the numbers. Junior Addie Bailey will lead off at the plate.
“She’s a good contact hitter who’s going to get on base,” Rich said.
Junior Kylie Rich is the speed in the lineup. Kylie is a naturally right-handed hitter who can switch to the left side to hit a slapper and play off her speed.
Rich is fortunate his next six hitters are all power at the plate. Once they get to No. 9, Rich said they’ll be going for speed again to turn the lineup over to their leadoff hitter.
With so many of the girls comfortable as starters, and the athleticism of the freshmen, the Bulldogs can easily rotate positions if the need arises.
After four games so far this season, Lapel is 3-1, defeating Elwood, Hamilton Heights and Frankton, and losing to
Yorktown. (A game against Alexandria-Monroe was scheduled for Wednesday, March 28, after press time.) These outings are part of what is a competitive schedule for the Bulldogs; just playing within Madison County is no picnic. When the county tournament begins in April, it truly is anybody’s ball game. “There is not a light team in the county,” Rich said. “Every team that’s in our county tournament can beat you on any given night.”
Given that Lapel’s sectional includes, Elwood, Frankton and Alexandria, the Bulldogs will be challenged on every level. Rich wants to overcome last season’s 12-12 record and make the team a 20-win program. He hopes within those 20 wins to bring home a Madison County championship.
With his roster, he said he believes those goals are reachable.
“So far, this team is a very bonded team. They all seem to be there for one another,” Rich said.
“If we can keep the team together and the morale up, I think we can do some good things.”

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2018 Lapel Bulldogs Softball
No. 00 Sophie Cline — Senior
No. 1 Chloe Tucker — Freshman
No. 2 Addie Bailey — Junior
No. 3 Megan Sundheimer — Sophmore
No. 5 Lily Daniels — Freshman
No. 10 Avery Bailey — Freshman No. 11 Paige Ormsby — Freshman
No. 14 Jasmine Hazelbaker — Senior
No. 15 Maloree Linn — Senior
No. 20 Taylor Murdock — Senior
No. 22 Hayley Granger — Freshman
No. 23 Kylie Rich — Junior
No. 24 Madi Carpenter — Freshman
No. 42 Danielle Fox — Junior
No. 43 Chloe Bousman — Junior
No. 81 Shelby Willis — Freshman

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