Almost five thousand miles away from home, German exchange student Adele Kluessendorf stepped into the batter’s box at Holder Field for the first time in a varsity game.
For Kluessendorf, this game, this at bat, meant more for her. With the season sneaking up on her, this would be one of the last high school softball games Kluesssendorf would be a part of.
“I love them all,” Kluessendorf said. “I’m gonna miss them when I’m back home.”
On Monday, May 19, the Lady Cards had a dominant win over the Pike Lady Red Devils, 14-1, while celebrating senior night, middle school night and alumni night.
Before the playing of the National Anthem, the atmosphere was filled with smiles and laughter. The night began with recognizing the middle school softball team, then the seniors.
“It felt awesome to be able to run across the field and get recognized at the high school game,” 8th grader Ariana Guerroro said. “I’m very excited to be a part of the high school team and be able to learn and grow from the girls.”
After a slow first inning, both teams would put one run on the scoreboard.
Following the first inning, assistant coach Shane Carmichael would rally the team together, flipping the team’s approach, causing an outburst in the second.
At the top of the second, their defense would start off hot. The Pike Lady Red Devils would not score in the second inning, nor put another run on the board for the rest of the game.
Starting pitcher Ady Stansbury was leading her team on the mound. In three innings, she would have a total of seven strikeouts, only allowing one run in that first inning.
Lady Cards didn’t press off the gas, their offense was just as dominant as the defense.
The entire batting lineup would hit, top to bottom, putting up 10 runs, giving the Lady Cards a comfortable lead.
“I think overall after the first inning, we kind of settled down and really just did what we should have done,” Head Coach James Thorpe said. “Take care of business and put up runs.”
Through an explosion of hits, senior Addison Mosley hit an inside-the-park home run to signify the dominance in the second inning.
Mosley has been a part of the program the entirety of her high school career, so getting a win on senior night meant a lot for her.
“It (the hit) was freaking great,” Mosley said. “(My) first at bat. It was just great, (I) loved it.”
As the game continued, Thorpe would make several substitutions, giving his younger players a chance to gain varsity experience.
Nonetheless, they continued to hold their own.
In the third and fourth innings, the Lady Cards would score three more runs, and on the defensive side, freshman relieving pitcher Emma Jordan finished the job, allowing zero runs, giving the Lady Cards a dominant win of 14-1.
“Emma came in and did exactly what she’s done all year, just really getting us outs,” Thorpe said.
With only three games left in the regular season and sectionals on Tuesday, May 27, the Lady Cards are hoping to continue getting wins.
“(I’m) just excited to play these last couple games,” Mosley said.
