ARCHIVE

  • Last modified 5454 days ago (April 23, 2009)

MORE

MHS softball duo coming through at the plate

Sports editor

Shelby Percell and Brooke Johnson know how to hit.

Period.

Through eight games, one of the two, or both, are in the top two on Marion’s team in at-bats, runs, hits, doubles, triples, RBIs, batting average, and slugging percentage.

It has been a tough start for the MHS squad at 0-8, but Johnson and Percell have been keeping the team in games with their bats.

As a sophomore last year, Johnson struggled at times, but this year that has changed.

“It comes with being a junior,” Johnson said. “I have a lot more confidence, especially with no seniors on the team.”

She and the other juniors have become the “seniors.” Percell, a sophomore, has turned into one as well after leading the team in batting average a year ago at .400.

A third baseman last year, Percell is switching between catcher and first base this season.

“I like catching because I played that for five years,” she said of her younger playing days.

Performing at a high level behind the plate only would add to what Percell means to the Lady Warriors.

Her .421 average (8-19), three doubles, and paltry two strikeouts, should have opposing pitchers scared to put the ball anywhere near the plate when she is batting.

The sophomore said her success doesn’t take anything special.

“I’m prepared for the pitch. I’m just ready,” she said.

Her success at the plate was nothing new, but the emergence of Johnson, who was new to the Warrior program last year, has been a plus.

She is hitting .308 with six RBIs and is either first or tied for first on the team in at bats, runs, hits, doubles, triples, and RBIs.

In a 10-inning loss to Elinwood April 7, a game in which Percell did not play, Johnson broke a 0-0 tie in the fifth inning with a three-run triple.

It would be the only runs Marion would score in the 4-3 loss, and was the longest game in head coach Sandy Black’s three-year tenure as head coach.

“Brooke had a big bat for us against Ellinwood,” Black said.

The Warriors would lose the second game 11-0, but Johnson also had one of the two Warriors hits in that game.

She would finish 3-7 with a double, triple, and three RBIs in the two games.

Most of her damage came in game one, but that was the case for majority of the Warriors.

“I think after the first game, everyone was just tired,” Johnson said.

As a team, the Warriors’ bats were pretty much silenced again Friday, as Nickerson threw two shut outs, 5-0 and 11-0.

However, Percell had the only hit for Marion in game one.

She said her success also has a lot to do with being familiar with her opponents.

“I know them. And I know how they pitch,” she said.

Despite the duo’s success, it will take an offensive surge from other Warriors to finally earn a victory.

That could come from sophomore Alex Cain who had a three-game stretch where she was 7-12 (.583) with two RBIs.

She currently is tied with Johnson in batting average at .308.

Along with Cain, Jordan Harper, Ashley Ratzlaff, and Sarah Guetersloh each have two RBI’s on the season.

Black said she knows her team can hit, but is hoping her players find more consistency.

“We tend to struggle with our bats the first half of the game then by the second half we start hitting the ball well,” she said. “I just wish we could get that started the first half.”

Coming up

The Warriors will try for their first victory of the season Friday at 4:30 p.m. when they play host to Halstead.

Last modified April 23, 2009

 

X

BACK TO TOP