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Lady Tigers shut out Aurora on senior night
Tuesday afternoon at Bushwhacker Field was a long time coming for Nevada High School senior softball player Jerica Collins.
After three years on the junior varsity team, then seeing limited action through the first two dozen varsity games this season, Collins finally got to start at second base for the Lady Tigers on senior night.
And after she helped lead NHS to an 11-0 run-rule victory over Aurora with a walk, a hit, and a run scored — not to mention several defensive put-outs, including a diving catch in foul territory — Collins might soon see her number called more often.
“It was just nice to be able to prove to myself and everyone else that I could do it,” said Collins, who made four plays at second base in the five-inning contest, including the final out of the game. “It was a fun opportunity to just be able to be on the field at all. I just was thankful for the opportunity and that Coach was willing to let me go out there.”
For NHS head coach Danny Penn, the decision was a no-brainer, and he was happy to see Collins — as well as fellow seniors Bailey Ast and Claire Pritchett (both four-year starters) — contribute to the shutout.
“The ball found her, and she made plays,” Penn said of Collins. “She made an athletic play on a pop-up behind first base, and then offensively drew a walk and had a base hit up the middle. I’m happy we got the 11-0 win, obviously, for our team. But on a special night, on senior day, I’m really happy that all three seniors had memorable performances that they can reflect upon happily.”
Pritchett was just a few inches away from having an extra special senior night when she stepped into the batter’s box with the bases loaded in the bottom of the fourth inning.
With her team already up 6-0, Pritchett took a whack at the first pitch she saw in the at-bat, ripping a line drive into the gap in right-center field that cleared the bases and found her standing on second base with a double.
“It felt really good off the bat. It would have been awesome. I wish it could have happened,” admitted Pritchett, who also had a single and an RBI sacrifice fly. “We had an awful practice yesterday, and I think we were all kind of tense and nervous for this game. But we just all talked before the game, we played hacky sack, got our minds off practice yesterday, and I think that really helped.”
Pritchett scored the first run of the game in the home half of the opening frame, after singling to the opposite field and trotting home on a Kirstin Buck double.
An inning later, back-to-back doubles by freshman Peyton Eaton and sophomore Hope Hearting plated another run (Eaton). Collins worked a full-count walk in her first plate appearance as the no. 9 batter, before a double by Ast drove in Hearting. Sophomore Skyler Burns then tripled, scoring Collins and Ast, and Pritchett drove her in with a fly ball to left.
“I was kind of nervous coming up to the plate tonight, but I got up there and I had a 2-0 count and the third ball came and I chased it so hard. I just wanted to hit. I was just excited,” Collins said. “And then I just calmed down and realized that’s not the point. It’s just to do a job.”
Collins led off the fourth with her single to center, before an infield hit by Ast and a walk by Burns loaded them up for Pritchett.
“Before she stepped up there, I said, ‘Hey, how about we look to pull something here?’” said Penn, who watched as Pritchett took his advice and barely missed a grand slam. “She got a pitch down the middle and put a really nice swing on it. If she hits down a quarter-inch on the ball, it’s probably well over the fence. Big situation and a big hit for Claire there.”
Nevada (14-9) added two more runs after that, thanks to Buck reaching on an error to score Pritchett and sophomore Kara Philips poking a sacrifice fly to center to score Buck.
Meanwhile, in the circle, Eaton kept Aurora (6-18) off the board by striking out five on four hits.
After the game, the program honored its three seniors and their families — though Ast made sure not to dwell on it too much.
“Honestly, it didn’t feel any different to me. It’s just like another game. I just went out there and played like I usually do. I didn’t let it get to my head. I don’t think it will hit me until later on, until it’s actually over, because I just can’t believe it,” said Ast, whose team will play its last regular-season home game against Carl Junction on Wednesday. “It’s just hard knowing that this is my last year.”
Pritchett agreed.
“I think tomorrow will be just as emotional as tonight was. It’s the last time on the home field. It’s sad. Played on it for four years, and it’s coming to an end,” she said. “It’s just sad, as a senior. The past few years, it’s just been like, ‘Oh, it’s time for districts, let’s go.’ But as a senior, it’s just different. But we’re excited. I think we’re playing as good as we have all year. It’s time to peak.”
All three seniors agreed that it was senior night to remember.
“Me and Bailey have been on the field together since 10U. It’s bittersweet. One of my best friends. I’ll always remember this senior year and senior night,” said Pritchett, who was also happy for Collins. “It was awesome, and she killed it. I think it was a very good experience for her and it was a good experience to have her beside me.”
Penn added that, though the future of the team is bright with so many talented underclassmen on the roster, Nevada softball will dearly miss the three seniors — if only for their leadership.
“Got the 11-0 win. I think all three, Claire, Jerica, Bailey, they would say that’s what is most important,” he said. “And that’s what you’ve got to have out of your leaders. We’re very fortunate for that.”