Softball: Indians pound Slicers again

Updated: May 2, 2011 11:44PM

ST. JOHN — It appears all those weekend trips to Indianapolis and Lafayette are really paying dividends for coach Jeff Sherman’s Lake Central softball team.

The Indians ended up 5-4 on those four trips out of the area last month against some of the best competition the state has to offer.

As a result, the Indians have become a much better team in the process.

The Indians (16-5, 7-1) provided further illustration of that Monday, cruising to an 11-0 Duneland Athletic Conference win in five innings over LaPorte (12-5, 5-3).

“In order to be the best, you’ve got to play the best,’’ said Sherman, who stated he has no plans to change an April weekend schedule of tournament-tough games.

It’s something that was experienced by former head coaches Tom Linger and Keith Hauber before him. Sherman claims it definitely helps the program.

“We see different types of defenses, different types of offenses, different kinds of pitching, just different types of softball,’’ Sherman said. “I think it helps us to see pitchers who throw hard and have a lot of movement. It just something we feel helps our players and helps us as a team.’’

Junior Bridget Boyle (6-2) blanked the Slicers on four hits as the Indians whipped LaPorte for the second time this month.

“They’re a tremendous hitting team,’’ LaPorte coach Bob Severs said, of the Indians. “They’re an elite group. They’re a great team. I looked up their statistics Sunday night, and their worst hitter is hitting .333. That’s absolutely incredible.’’

The Indians pounded out 13 hits Monday and scored 10 runs in the first three innings and 11 overall against three different LaPorte pitchers.

“Coach Severs did attempt to throw us off there, using three different kinds of pitchers against us,’’ Sherman said. “I thought our kids did a really good job of adjusting to that.’’

Catcher Sam Terry, who drove in three runs, received a commemorative softball in a short pregame ceremony for becoming the school’s career doubles leader after smacking her 27th Saturday.

Kaitlyn Ranieri, who started the season slowly, is looking like her old self again.

The junior had a pair of doubles and drove in three runs, while Meghan Blais had a pinch-hit two-run single. Nikki Adams also had two hits and a pair of RBI.

Ranieri said she’s been taking extra batting practice, because she’s been a little frustrated and mad about the way she’d been hitting.

The turning point for Ranieri might have come in a game against Highland when she fanned with the bases loaded.

“That’s normally my favorite (situation) to hit in,’’ she said. “I feel a lot more confident now. I feel like the old me. I just hate cold weather.’’

 

© 2012 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed without permission. For more information about reprints and permissions, visit www.suntimesreprints.com. To order a reprint of this article, click here.