Every year, Indian River softball coach Mark Browne sets his sights on the same goal: to improve performance and be a better team by the end of the season. Now, with his team sitting at a comfortable 6-1 conference record and an 11-2 record overall, that goal looks rather promising for the Lady Indians.
Coastal Point • RUSLANA LAMBERT:
Jordan Warrington, left, had an RBI triple, which led to a score by Lizzy Handy, and scored off of a single by Haley Brennan against Cape on Tuesday.
IR chalked up a win with a 6-3 victory hosting Laurel last Thursday, as second-baseman Abi Buchler shot a solo homer in the third inning to tie the game 1-1. A couple of RBI’s from freshman third-baseman Lizzy Handy and junior Hayley Brennan, and another from sophomore Jamie Esham, secured the game for Indian River.
An even more gratifying victory, however, came Tuesday, as the Indians pulled off a comeback 2-1 win against Cape Henlopen. Indian River trailed in the third as Cape’s Shannon Bull scored an RBI single to give Cape a slender lead. But the Indians weren’t going down without a fight.
Jordan Warrington’s RBI triple brought Handy home to tie the game. Warrington scored off of a single by Brennan to lock the game for IR. Browne was very pleased with the victory.
“You really couldn’t have scripted a better game,” he said. “We were fortunate to have timely clutch hitting from the girls. [Jordan Warrington] drove to the gap at right center for the tie and Haley [Brennan] did a great job following it up. It’s nice to come back in a game and really play well.”
Browne commended his pitcher, Sarah Tyre, as well, for her outstanding role in Tuesday’s game.
“Sarah really took a big step in the game,” he said. “She bore down when she had to and came out strong. This game was a great growing experience for her and I think she gained a lot of confidence.” Tyre pitched a five-hitter for the Indians’ win.
Cape had reigned victorious at the last match-up, with a 12-10 win only three weeks ago at the Sports at the Beach invitational in Rehoboth. Browne knew what his team needed to do for the rematch. “We knew we had to play better,” he said. “We just forgot about the last game and put it behind us.”
The warmer weather was a factor, added Browne. “Last time,” he said, “it was extremely cold. I’m proud of all the girls who played that day, but it was definitely a welcoming difference on Tuesday. It was a great day, all-around.”
Scores have been tighter for the Indians, but that doesn’t discourage Browne one bit. “I’m confident with the way the team is playing,” he said.
Seven of the team’s first nine games were called early due to a mercy rule that ends the game when a team leads by 10 or more runs in the fifth inning. The subsequent four games, all wins for Indian River, have been played in their entirety.
“I’ve been yearning for good softball games, and it feels great coming out with wins in close games like this.”
Coastal Point • RUSLANA LAMBERT:
Indian River’s Lizzy Handy slides into third base against Cape Henlopen on Tuesday, April 24. IR went on to win 2-1 in a come-from-behind victory.
The Indians, sitting on a five-game winning streak, look to continue their performance, hosting Smyrna on Thursday, April 27, and Sussex Tech, Friday, April 27, at 4:15 p.m. The Indians will face Delmar at home on Tuesday, May 1, and travel to Polytech on Thursday, May 3.
“We’re getting into the meat of our conference games, now,” said Browne. “The girls are playing really well, and, hopefully, everything will come together.”