The Lady Indian softball team started the season with a loss to Braxton County, but bounced back with a big win over Fairmont Senior.

 

“We lost our opener 5-4. It was our first game and their fourth or fifth,” said Coach Larry “Rabbit” Snider. “We knocked off our first-game jitters. You’ll always have that, but after we got that first game out of the way, we hit the ball pretty descent.”

 

The bright spot in the March 23 opener was a homerun by freshman Paige Humble. The centerfielder slammed one her first time up to bat, Snider said.'

 

Teammates followed suit in the Monday game against the Polar Bears. Hitting homeruns were Emily Riggs, Katelyn Stanley and Lauren Riffle.

 

“We have a little bit of power this year,” Snider said. “We’ve had four girls hit homeruns and we have two or three more capable of doing it.”

 

The Tribe finished the game in six innings, outscoring the Polar Bears 15-7 and capped off with Riggs’ homer, which knocked in three runs.

 

The shortstop went two for five, also hitting a double. Stanley went three for four, Payton Merica one for four, Humble two for four, Olivia Kesling two for three and Rahvin Hardman three for four. On the mound was Starr Pope, who struck out four.

 

The team has a unique mix this year: One senior, nine juniors, two sophomores and nine freshmen.

 

Senior Rahvin Hardman plays third base; the remainder of infielders being Riffle, a junior, at first; sophomore Payton Merica at second and Riggs, also a junior, at shortstop. Catching is junior Katelyn Stanley with Pope, a junior, starting pitcher.

 

In the outfield are junior Katie McDaniels, freshman Paige Humble, sophomore Alison Hanshaw and junior Laken Cook.  Freshman Olivia Kesling doing some designating hitting. Freshmen Johnna Hull and Cheyanne Martin are backup pitchers, both showing potential, Snider said.

 

“We’re trying to get them some experience this year in JV and some varsity experience, too,” he said.

 

The roster also includes juniors Autumn Honce, Lydia Smallwood and Aleesia Aley and freshmen Corinne Lalama, Brooklyn Jeffers, Gina Veltri, Lyda Sandy and Makenzie Earp.

 

Getting an early-season victory over Fairmont Senior was a nice boost, Snider said. But there is plenty of good competition ahead, including Grafton, Philippi, North Marion, Lincoln, Liberty and Lewis County.

 

“I think it’s going to be a pretty competitive season,” he said.

 

Tuesday’s game at Robert C. Byrd was canceled due to rain and has been rescheduled for April 5. Tonight's game at Liberty has also been postponed.

 

Weather permitting, 

 

the Lady Indians are back in 

action Friday with a 5:30 p.m. match at Lincoln High School.

 

Editor's Note: Photos by Ben Queen Photography were taken during the BHS vs, Fairmont Senior game. See more images HERE.