MIDDLEBURY —
For the most part, high school sports is about learning life lessons, building lifelong friendships, and making memories that will endure long after the uniforms come off for the last time and the cleats, bats, balls and gloves go into storage.
But once in awhile, a special season comes along – one that will be remembered for years to come, recalled fondly at reunions and in stories passed down to children.
The 2012 softball season for the Northridge Raiders has been such a season.
The Raiders won their first 22 games of this campaign before dropping a 1-0 decision against Mishawaka Marian this past weekend.
The Raiders had scant time to think about that loss, as they were back at it in NLC competition on Tuesday at home.
A chance to wrap up a perfect NLC campaign – after already wrapping up the conference title last Friday night – looms large this week for Northridge.
Good teams seize those opportunities when they arise, and the Raiders took a big step toward that team goal Tuesday night, defeating Elkhart Memorial, 10-0 at home.
And with their No. 4 ranking in state polls, the Raiders are acknowledged by Indiana coaches as one of the best of the best in the Hoosier State.
They are the total package: Dominating pitching, good hitting and excellent defense — not to mention hours of hard work and dedicated coaching from Bo O’Dell and his staff — have combined to bring the Raiders to this point.
They also have a quality not always found in good teams: Humility.
These girls know they are good, and let their bats and gloves do their talking for them on the field.
Raider senior Brittany Wingard said last Saturday’s loss to Marian showed what can happen when a team doesn’t do all the little things.
“On any given day, if we don’t play together as a team, We can lose,” Wingard said.
The Raiders, nice as that NLC championship is, are already turning their eyes toward an even bigger prize: A sectional championship.
Senior Caitlyn Pixley said that’s next up on the Raiders’ list of team goals – after a perfect NLC season, which they can wrap up tonight against Plymouth.
And from there, the treasure gets even bigger: The route to the state tournament in Indianapolis beckons and becomes a reachable goal the further a team advances.
However, the road gets more difficult with each level – something the Raiders are more than aware of, according to senior catcher Conner Crist.
“We’ve done a lot this season, and the best part of this season has been seeing the way we’ve come together as a team,” Crist said.
“But we’re not done yet.”
No matter where the journey ends for the Raiders this season, they will have gained much from their efforts.
The lessons learned, relationships formed, and adversity endured will make these girls not only better athletes, but better young ladies as they prepare to step up to the plate in the game of life.
Contact sports editor David Vantress at 533-2151, ext. 325 or by email at david.vantress@goshennews.com.
Sports
Related Photos
-
Northridge pitcher Haley Nixon delivers to the plate Tuesday night against Elkhart Memorial. DAVID VANTRESS
THE SKINNY: Raider softball ready for big things
- Sports
-
-
NBA PLAYOFFS: Pacers not talking about changes, George
The Indiana Pacers head into Game 6 against the New York Knicks in unfamiliar territory.
-
Walton's message of hope resonates
“I’m Bill Walton, and I’m the luckiest man in the world,” the former NBA great told a rapt audience at the Lerner Theatre Friday night as he took the stage.
-
PREP GIRLS TENNIS: Ready for regional
Long before Lisanne Scheffers finished her marathon match at No. 2 singles that lasted more than three hours, the rest of her Goshen teammates had already sprinted to the winners circle.
-
BOYS PREP TRACK AND FIELD: On to regional meet
Cristian Barron of Goshen won the 300-meter hurdles Thursday night in the IHSAA boys track and field sectional at Goshen and he was quick to credit GHS assistant coach Carl Weaver for the success.
-
PREP GIRLS TENNIS: Raiders conquer Minutemen
When you talk about local prep sports dynasties, the Northridge girls tennis team has to be part of the conversation.
-
PREP GIRLS TENNIS: Panthers roll
At sectional time — whatever the sport — the focus shifts to survival.
-
PREP SOFTBALL: Goshen's offense comes alive
Offense emerged Wednesday evening for a run-starved Goshen High School girls softball team.
-
2013 INDIANAPOLIS 500 NOTEBOOK: Marco Andretti tops Indy speed chart in early week practice
INDIANAPOLIS — Marco Andretti posted the fastest Indianapolis 500 practice speed of the month Monday, turning a fast lap of 225.100 mph on the 2.5-mile oval.
-
2013 INDIANAPOLIS 500: Foyt’s team makes early IndyCar resurgence
A.J. Foyt sits quietly recounting stories in the back of his garage at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
-
PREP GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD: Their time to shine
One short week ago, Northridge High School junior Olivia Golden finished third in the 1,600 meters in a time of 5:16.56 in the NLC championships.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
