LAPEL — The up-and-down season for the Lapel softball team continued this week. But the losses are not the biggest concern for head coach Scott Rich — it’s the way his team has lost that has him scratching his head.
Lapel was routed by New Castle 14-1 Wednesday in a game shortened to five innings one day after falling to Mt. Vernon in Fortville Tuesday by a 10-5 score.
The losses come on the heels of a stretch that saw the Bulldogs win seven of nine and drops Lapel to 7-6 on the year.
“We’re better than that,” Rich said after the New Castle loss. “The upsetting thing to me is that we take a 14-1 butt-whooping and brush it off like it’s just another day. How can they not be upset by that? How can they not be mad?”
Rich said his team has plenty of talent but seems to lack the fire of other teams he has coached. The listless effort Wednesday against the Trojans included a quiet dugout devoid of the usual chatter and energy.
“The knowledge is there, the skill level is there,” he said. “But the effort is what is lacking. We have to show more intensity, fire and pride. In seven years here, I’ve had teams that would have been embarrassed tonight — and mad. It just doesn’t seem to bother this team, and I don’t know how to fix that.”
In this week’s losses, sophomore Kylie Rich has been one bright spot offensively for the Bulldogs. She was 5-7 in the two games, scored two runs, stole a base and drove in a run.
Lapel has had solid performances at times, including a pair of wins against Frankton and a tough 12-inning game versus Madison-Grant, but at other times, seem to struggle.
“I can’t put my finger on it,” coach Rich said. “I can’t fix it.”
The Bulldogs will try again when they visit Portland for a doubleheader with the Jay County Patriots at 10 a.m. Saturday.
