LINDEN — It was a cold, windy evening out at North Montgomery which means softball season was ready to get underway. The Chargers welcomed the Sheridan Blackhawks to in their home and season opener on Wednesday. Coming off its most successful season since 2008 a year ago, the Chargers quickly showed how that team from a year ago has already made great strides in the off-season. North ended up using an eight-run fifth inning to defeat Sheridan 10-0 in five innings and begin the season 1-0.
Early on the Charger hitters were getting on, but just weren’t able to bring them home as North had runners in scoring position in each of the first three innings. Finally in the fourth is where the Chargers got on the board. A lead-off walk by sophomore Ella McManomy and a single by Piper Ramey had the Chargers in business. A double steal put McManomy at third and Ramey at second and set the table for junior Faith Shirar. Shirar laced a double down the right field line plating the first two runs of the game and after that it was all Chargers.
A single, walk, triple, walk, single, single, and error was what followed in the fourth inning all in order and Sophia Shea called game for the Chargers with a single to plate the 10th and final run of the game.
“Confidence is contagious and this group proved that in a big way tonight,” Charger coach Rob Earley said. “It was a great feeling to see all of those girls step up knowing they can come through. I knew that Faith had that in her and that’s why we put her behind Piper is we expect her to drive in some runs and she got us going in a big way.”
North pounded out 11 hits in the win. Ramey went a perfect 3-3 with a double and two singles and two runs scored. Shea added a pair of hits as did Shirar and Blair Nichols.
On the mound Ramey got the start and was lights out as Sheridan barely made contact. In five innings, Ramey gave up just one hit and one walk while striking out 13 in the season-opening win.
“What I enjoyed most was seeing the girls reaction and faces to when we play well,” Earley said. “This game is about having fun and they were certainly doing that with cheering for every hitter who up there and were excited to celebrate with whoever came in and scored. It was a fun night and I’m really proud of this group. We’ve worked for this right every since January and the work is beginning to show itself out here.”
The lone Blackhawk hit came from senior Maelei Casler. Casler was also on the mound and took the loss for the Blackhawks. In 4.2 innings she gave up 11 hits, 10 runs with seven being earned. She walked three and struck out five.
Ramey has been a focal point of the Charger softball program ever since her freshman season and in the season opening win,she set the tone in the circle while giving her team a perfect night at the plate as well.
“Our girls look up to Piper for leadership and she takes it all in stride,” Earley said of Ramey. “She’s a great individual and obviously a great player and it’s great that we’re able to have a player like her for our young girls to look up to.”
North will be off until after they get back from spring break. They’ll be back at home on Wednesday, April 3 for a game against Clinton Prairie which opens three games in three days with Attica that Thursday also at home and a trip to Bethesda that Friday.
