MONTICELLO – Coach Rob Earley circled his players and let underclassmen talk about the two North Montgomery softball seniors after Tuesday’s Sectional 18 contest. He also praised his team for how they competed despite falling in the first round game a few minutes earlier, 3-2, to host Twin Lakes.
“The seniors mean a lot,” Earley said. “Jaymie Freeman plays everywhere. She’s played seven positions. Cascie (Keller) is key as she hits fourth protecting Piper (Ramey) from getting walked all the time and that’s why she was second team all conference. They are the reason we had some success because of their work ethic and leadership.”
Twin Lakes used a two-out hit batter and Aubrielle Sherrick double in the bottom of the sixth to break a 2-2 tie.
“We never stopped fighting all year,” Earley said. “We had three errors, but it was a really crisp game. Most of the errors didn’t really cost us and were early in the game.”
North was in the game the entire way. Down 2-0 North evened the game in the fourth after seven of the first nine Chargers went down on strikes. Sophia Shea led off with an infield single. After Ella McManomy struck out sophomore Ramey smacked her 11th double of the season driving in Shea. Ramey scored one hitter later on a Jaymie Freeman single.
The Lady Indians struck first in their opening at bat. Second hitter Makenna Downham tripled to right. McKenna Wilson followed with a sacrifice fly to left and a 1-0 advantage. The hosts added a run in the third after Makenna Downham’s second straight hit, a stolen base and two wild pitches.
North had a chance in the sixth. Shea reached on a dropped third strike and tried to score on a McManomy double past the centerfielder. However, she was gunned down at the plate. McManomy went to third. Ramey, the team’s leading hitter hit a fly to right and McManomy took off. The ball was caught and she was doubled off third to end the threat.
Twin Lakes had a baserunner to third base in each inning except the fifth. Ramey had retired eight straight thanks to some great defense and a couple strike outs before the sixth inning rally.
Indians senior ace Wilson went the distance tossing 112 pitches. She fanned 11 and did not allow a walk. Ramey (7-10) struck out eight and walked two, throwing 100 pitches.
“(Ramey) threw well. She changed locations. She changed speeds a few times. She kept the ball above their hands and that makes it difficult for the hitter.”
The Lady Indians (7-19) move on to play Frankfort Tuesday. North ends the season 9-17.
“Nothing to be disappointed in. It was a good game and, of course, we wanted to be on the other side and didn’t quite get there, but we had the chance and opportunity. That’s something this program hasn’t had in a while.”
North's nine wins are the most the Chragers have had since 2008. With plenty of players returning for next season, the future is looking up for these young Chargers.
