Fraser Softball off to a rough start
March 25, 2015
Fraser’s Chayse Anderer (#2) stands next to Chippewa’s Lauren Kilpatrick (#3) after reaching on a single.
March 24, 2015 marked the start of this year’s softball season. The Fraser Ramblers kicked off the season against Chippewa Valley just after 4 o’ clock on Tuesday. Chippewa Valley has almost a brand new team as they have 6 freshmen on this year’s varsity squad and are definitely a team lacking experience.
The season started off with a bang for the Big Reds’ as they went up 3-0 in the top of the first. They loaded the bases early and were able to score on a couple of hits that shot right through the infield. Fraser countered with 2 runs in the bottom of the first to end the inning down 3-2.
That would end up being most of the team’s offense as they would only score one more run during the game (5th inning). The team hit the ball well and made a lot of contact with the ball, but Chippewa’s outfield was tremendous. They only allowed a couple of hits to drop in the outfield and most were from deep hits that sailed over the outfielders’ heads.
The Big Reds came into the third inning with a slim lead, but tacked on 8 runs during the top of the inning to give themselves an 11-2 lead. They loaded the bases multiple times because of hitting streaks of 4 hits and 5 hits. The second streak included a 3-run homer run to centerfield by 2nd basemen (#4) Kristin Naidus. That would be the last runs scored during the inning as the next batter grounded out.
Not much happened until the 5th inning when things got a little controversial in the top of the inning. Chippewa had a couple of runners on base when their batter sent a line drive into left field. Left fielder Chayse Anderer dove to make a play on the ball and came up with the ball in her mitt. The controversy was whether or not it hit the ground before entering her mitt (she caught it), which is what the umpires discussed for several minutes before calling it an out to end the inning. This wouldn’t help much as the Ramblers only scored one run in the bottom of the 5th on a line drive double to left field by #14 Taylor Lampar.
Chippewa would go on to win the game by a score of 12-3 to kick off their season with a win. Even with an inexperienced team, the Big Reds were able to blowout the Ramblers. Chippewa played an outstanding game especially on the offensive end, but the stellar pitching by the Reds’ staff was the real key to winning this game. Chippewa’s freshmen sensation Leah Kadlitz had a terrific first game as she went 2 for 2 with a walk and a pair of RBIs (runs batter in) as well as throwing out a runner at 2nd base during the 7th inning. Chippewa will face Fraser at Chippewa Valley High School on friday, March 27th as they try for the season sweep already.
While Fraser may have lost, they will definitely be a formidable team this season. Once the outfielders get more playing time and and the pitching starts to pick up, we should see a solid team that should win around 20 games this season. Fraser has a chance to steal a game at Chippewa Valley this friday afternoon at 4 pm, but they must face Warren Woods Tower first at home Wednesday afternoon (March 25th). This will definitely be a long season as the Ramblers play about 30 games this year. Most of their schedule can be found here. http://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/fraser-ramblers-(fraser,mi)/softball/schedule.htm
All photos were taken by Devon Schwarze-Hemelberg.
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