Lady Tigers edge Seneca in home opener, 3-0
"Christian did a very nice job, as always." Nevada Lady Tigers head softball coach Tammy Holcomb has always had high expectations when it comes to the prowess of starting pitcher Christian Novak and nothing short of reaching those expectations was required Tuesday afternoon as Novak and the Lady Tigers squared off against the Lady Indians of Seneca at Bushwhacker Field.
After beating Seneca by run rule in the last meeting between the two squads, many expected another easy win, but that was not the case as the Lady Tigers struggled offensively against Seneca starter Mirana Heath throughout most of the game on their way to a 3-0 win.
The Lady Tigers came into the contest not only riding the momentum from that run-rule victory, but also the lift they were able to achieve in Monday night's contest at Archie. Archie starter Kaitlyn Ray had far more trouble keeping the Lady Tigers off the board as she allowed six runs -- three earned -- on nine hits in a 6-2 loss. The Lady Tigers wasted little time keeping the pressure on in the JV contest, completing the sweep with a 7-0 win.
In Tuesday's game, it looked as though fans may be treated to a repeat performance of the last meeting with Seneca as the Lady Tigers got on the board early. After reaching on Heath's only walk of the game, Lady Tigers shortstop Cheyenne Brewer quickly circled the bases when the Seneca defense lost sight of her and third baseman Bailey Skelton committed the game's first error, giving the Lady Tigers a quick lead.
"We like to do that," Holcomb said of Brewer's aggressive baserunning. "We've got some speed this year, so we like to capitalize on those things."
The Lady Tigers went on to plate one more run in the frame when Novak stole second and Seneca catcher Bailey Durbin threw the ball away, allowing Ashley Shumaker to cross the plate, giving the Lady Tigers a 2-0 lead after one.
From that point on, both sides calmed down and the momentum the Lady Tigers had right from the first pitch seemed to come to a screeching halt. The game's only other run crossed the plate in the home half of the fourth when Madeline Culbertson hit a RBI grounder that brought home Reagan Bradley to give the Lady Tigers a 3-0 lead.
By game's end, Novak had thrown a total of 106 pitches -- 76 strikes -- and shut out the Lady Indians, allowing just three hits with 13 strikeouts. Heath finished the day allowing three runs -- two earned -- on 11 hits with four strikeouts, a walk and one hit batter and threw 88 pitches with 61 strikes.
Even before the success that the beginning of this season has already brought for her varsity squad, Holcomb knew that the youth and inexperience that led to not only the aggression on the bases that gave the Lady Tigers their first run Tuesday, but the two errors the defense committed in the contest could be both good and bad. With just four seniors -- some of whom have -- no experience, most of the leadership has had to come from the core group of underclassmen that does bring a wealth of experience to the table in many cases.
"Before Wednesday, we had four kids that had never started a varsity game," Holcomb said. "I expect to go as far as the drive and focus will take us. ... We're just trying to stay focused on the positives."
The Lady Tigers won't have to wait long to see if they have the focus they need to continue their winning ways as Holcomb's varsity squad is scheduled to be back at Bushwhacker Field to face what will be an almost complete unknown in the Lady Tigers of Lamar. "I dont know much. I just know that Lamar will come down ready to play."
The Lady Tigers of Lamar opened their season on Monday with a three-run rally in the top of the eighth inning to beat Morrisville by a final score of 4-1.
The first pitch in Thursday's contest is set for 5 p.m.