The softball team is on a streak. They have won their last four games, defeating tough competition all through the year. They have split a series with South Ben Saint Joe, facing an Oklahoma Univeristy commitment in the pitcher circle. They also beat Fort Wayne Carrol, Ben Davis, Martinsville, and Indianapolis Bishop Chatard.
This might be one of the most competitive teams that LHS has put together on the diamond. They are currently ranked 43 in the state of Indiana and 24 in the 4A rankings. All this comes from a plethora of talent on both sides of the ball. They have strong pitching in the form of junior Natalee Packard and freshman Brooklynn Hagerty.
According to senior Jocelynn Vincent, the team has strong chemistry.
“A good team atmosphere is one where everyone supports and encourages each other, communicates openly, and works together towards a common goal,” Vincent said. “This LHS softball team is exactly that. We have great friendships and all strive to be the best we can be for one another. We all have built strong connections that bring us together on and off the field, that help us toward our common goal.”
The offensive stats are led by a multitude of players. Freshman Bella Nicoles leads the team in batting average, hitting a whopping 0.403 average. She is followed closely by juniors Kellyn Cripe (0.387) and Packard (0.383).
Cripe leads the team in on-base percentage with a 0.477 OBP. She is also followed closely behind by Bella Nicoles who owns an OBP of 0.470.
Hagerty owns the home runs this season, already hitting seven. Packard follows her with four. This team also swipes bags at a pretty high rate. Cripe and sophomore Adrienne Scott both have nine stolen bases.
In the pitching circle, the Berries have a two-headed attack. With the combo of Packard, who has a record of 10-2, and Hagerty, who has a record of 11-2, they both have an earned run average of under 2.00. Hagerty has an ERA of 1.55 and Packard has an ERA of 1.68. Hagerty has pitched 85.2 innings. and she has given up 61 hits and 22 free passes while striking out 138 hitters among the 345 batters she has faced. Packard has faced 272 hitters. She has given up 51 hits and 25 free passes. She has struck out 77 hitters in her 70.2 innings. Both have pitched around 1200 pitches.
Packard had this to say about her partner in crime.
“It’s great,” Packard said. “Knowing someone always has your back takes a lot of the pressure off of you.”
