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Softball starts 2012 with back-to-back wins

The Redhawk ladies won in spectacular come-from-behind fashion in their home opener on Wednesday, May 23. Christy Calderwood got on in the bottom of the seventh, driving in Syndey Fehr in the process. Calderwood eventually scored the winning run. Above, Fehr rounds third as Head Coach Bob Cue waves her around. Left, pitcher Emma Knoop deals a strikeout pitch. Below left, Calderwood eludes the tag to score the winning run as her teammates anxiously look on.

The Lady Redhawks got off to a fast start last week, winning their first two games of the season, one of which came in dramatic walk-off fashion on Wednesday.

After defeating Union in the season opener on the road, the girls had a quick turnaround and hosted Northeast Hamilton the following day. The day began with a bang – and a big one, at that – with the visiting team dropping five runs in the first two innings.

Trailing 5-0 early, the Redhawks could have packed it in, but displayed some real grit in chipping away at the lead. Pitcher Abi Watson calmed down and found her command in the late innings, consistently throwing strikes and letting her defense back her up.

Following a sixth inning in which the girls got within one run, victory seemed elusive. With one out in the bottom of the seventh and final inning, the girls again could have shut it down and taken the easy road, but they refused to be denied.

Sydney Fehr lined a double to right, giving the team a much-needed spark and bringing the crowd back into it. Christy Calderwood followed with a double of her own, driving in Fehr, who was waved around third by the enthusiastic Coach Cue.

Calderwood’s double proved to be the back-breaker for the NE Hamilton pitcher, who seemed rattled and showed it by missing her spot and allowing a liner to drive in Calderwood for the walk-off winning run.

The Redhawks were once again in action on back-to-back days Friday and Saturday, with away games at Dike-New Hartford and a tournament at Jesup. The girls also faced Janesville on Wednesday as part of their three game road trip.

They return to the friendly confines of the North Tama Athletic Complex this Friday, June 1, at 5 p.m. to face Don Bosco Catholic.

The girls will then travel to a tournament over the weekend and an away game at Green Mountain-Garwin on Monday.