The debut of sophomore Lexi Fair as Center Grove’s starting catcher proved memorable.
Fair’s three-run home run in the bottom of the third inning on Wednesday helped propel the Class 4A No. 4 Trojans softball squad to a 4-1 victory against visiting Roncalli in the team’s season-opener.
The Rebels, ranked 10th in Class 4A, dropped to 2-1.
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Click here to purchase photos from this gallery“I had a feeling. It looked pretty good. It felt good,” Fair said of her round-tripper, the third of her varsity career after ones last season against Carmel and Perry Meridian. “I had confidence in us. We’re a good team, and we come together and do well like we always do.
“We all want it, and when we want something, it happens.”
Having Abby Herbst pitching tends to help. The junior surrendered six hits to Roncalli while striking out 11 and walking one.
Fair’s blast over the center-field fence wasn’t the lone offensive highlight for the Trojans. Senior center fielder Clara Andersen, the No. 8 hitter, finished with two singles as six different players contributed at least one hit.
“What I’m proud of most are the kids who stepped up that no one’s heard of,” Center Grove coach Russ Milligan said. “Lexi Fair hitting the home run, obviously, is huge. Clara Andersen going 2 for 3, and she didn’t bat but twice or something like that last year.
“Kaci Finchum at third. Her first time there ever. Jordyn Rudd playing shortstop. She’s never played shortstop. She’s played everything else, and it’s obvious that she can do that.”
Center Grove’s big inning began when leadoff hitter Piper Belden reached first base on an error. Addison Osborn’s sacrifice bunt moved the junior to second before Rudd was intentionally walked.
Herbst jumped on the first pitch of Rebels’ sophomore Amber Linton for a single to center field that scored Belden. Two pitches later, Fair launched Linton’s 0-1 offering for what would be the game’s biggest hit.
The Rebels averted a shutout in the top of the sixth when senior left fielder Scout Leffler blasted a two-out solo home run. Senior first baseman Jordan Jenkins followed with a double to the right-field fence, but Herbst struck out the next batter to end the threat.
Linton, a sophomore who already has made a verbal commitment to attend the University of Tennessee, gave up seven hits. She struck out four Center Grove hitters and walked three.
The Trojans are back in action Friday when they host Pendleton Heights.
