Trotters softball slides to victory

PLAINS – It was a cool but sunny day as a group of girls took to the field with their helmets, gloves and bats. Winter’s recent passing was still evident in the pale green grass and the snow atop the distant mountain peaks. But the sound of ball on bat and the smell of roasting hot dogs signaled the arrival of spring.

The Trotters came out of the gate running in their first softball game of the season, and they really found their stride in the second game of the double-header against Troy.

Senior Tiara ‘Tia’ Thompson played well both games pitching and batting. In the first game, she struck out nine Lady Trojans. Only two hits escaped throughout all five innings. She continued to hold her opponents at bay in the second game and Troy went three innings without scoring any runs.

Sami Kinzie also had a fruitful afternoon of ball. Not only did she have five runs batted in (RBIs) but she also had a grand slam. Senior Alex Green added three more RBIs to the team score. The first game against Troy was a shut-out with a final score of 15-0.

In the second game, Thompson and Danica Whitcomb tied with six RBIs each. Kinzie and Shaira Caldwell also tied, each with two RBIs. A few hits slipped past the Trotter defense in the last couple innings, but they still finished with a high score of 30-6. A double win for the Trotters was a great way to open the season.

Assistant Coach Jeff Rude was happy with how the girls performed and the positive introduction to the season.

“They did well for the first game of the season,” Coach Rude said. “We still need to get some kinks worked out but they were getting hits so we were pleased with that.”

Coach Rude praised Thompson for her pitching and Kinzie for her grand slam. He said a grand slam is huge in any game. In addition, he was very proud with how well the freshmen handled themselves in their first high school game.

He was also very pleased with Caldwell who performed like a seasoned player despite her little experience.

“Shaira Caldwell did well especially in the second game. This is only her second year of playing and she has come a long way,” Coach Rude said. “She is going to be a starter.”

Despite the sweeping scores against Troy, the coaches still have a list of things they want to work on. According to Coach Rude, when it comes to base running, the girls are hesitate when they need to be aggressive and aggressive when they need to be hesitant. Learning to run smarter is something he and Coach Thompson are looking forward to practicing with the girls.

The Trotters will face off against their county rivals, Thompson Falls, on Tuesday, April 1 at 5 p.m. in Plains. Coach Rude knows this will be a more challenging game for the girls because the Lady Hawks are good at bat.

The Trotters will then travel to Florence for another double-header on Saturday. According to Coach Rude, this will be one of the best teams they will play all season.

“Florence will be tough. They won state two years in a row and have won eight or nine of the last 12 or 13 years. They are the team to beat,” Coach Rude said. “We will have to show up ready to play for that one.”

The Trotters are sure to have a better idea of their standing after this week.