Laberdee pitches Clay to victory

Throws one-hitter against Central

4/13/2011
BY DONALD EMMONS
BLADE SPORTS WRITER
  • Danielle-Holmes-and-Erin-Seiler

    Clay's Danielle Holmes (2) is tagged out at second base by Central Catholic pitcher Erin Seiler (8) in Tuesday's City League softball game at Central Catholic.

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  • Clay's Cassi Laberdee (4-1) pitched a one-hitter and scored the game-winning run in the Eagles' 3-0 win over Central Catholic Tuesday. With the win, the Eagles improved their record to 5-2 on the season.
    Clay's Cassi Laberdee (4-1) pitched a one-hitter and scored the game-winning run in the Eagles' 3-0 win over Central Catholic Tuesday. With the win, the Eagles improved their record to 5-2 on the season.

    It's still early in the count when considering only a third of the softball season has taken place.

    So, perhaps it's too soon for some teams to declare themselves winners.

    And maybe it's too early for others to start to panic.

    Yet, Clay pitcher Cassi Laberdee could feel good about her performance on the mound against City League rival Central Catholic Tuesday afternoon.

    Laberdee pitched a one-hitter and scored the game-deciding run to lead the Eagles to a 3-0 shutout at Central Catholic.

    "Early on, I felt that pop today," said Laberdee, regarding how she felt in control on the mound against the Irish.

    The Eagles ace improved to 4-1 after giving up only a base hit to Sara Bowling in the second inning and walking two in the final frame.

    "I think that our defense was a lot better today," said Laberdee, crediting her teammates with assisting her on a solid pitching outing.

    Clay coach Brenda Radabaugh also commended the Eagles (5-2, 4-1 CL) for keeping it steady in the field after recently suffering a loss due primarily to shaky play with the gloves.

    "I was very, very pleased with our defense," said Radabaugh, about the Eagles, who were guilty of only one fielding error against Central. "We didn't have a ton of hits, but we had them when we needed them."

    Clay's Danielle Holmes (2) is tagged out at second base by Central Catholic pitcher Erin Seiler (8) in Tuesday's City League softball game at Central Catholic.
    Clay's Danielle Holmes (2) is tagged out at second base by Central Catholic pitcher Erin Seiler (8) in Tuesday's City League softball game at Central Catholic.

    Laberdee delivered offensively by leading off the second inning with a double off Central pitcher Erin Seiler. Moments later, Brooke Thompson drove her home with a triple to right-center field to give Clay a 1-0 lead.

    The Eagles lineup produced another run in the fourth, and their final run of the game came in the sixth. Abbie Herrera gave Clay a 2-0 lead when she circled the bases after reaching first base on a Central throwing error that led to her reaching third base before a throwing error to third allowed her to advance home.

    "We don't play like that," Central coach Larry Jaworski said, referring to the errors the Irish committed against Clay. "We gave the game away, plain and simple."

    Kim Crawford led off the sixth with a base hit and scored the Eagles' final run a short time later on a suicide squeeze bunt down the third baseline by Danielle Holmes.

    The Irish (6-3, 1-1) failed to generate any offense against Laberdee and didn't help Seiler's cause. The Irish ace gave up four hits while also striking out nine batters.

    The Irish aren't in panic mode because of the first loss to a City League opponent this season.

    "The season is still early," Jaworski said. "We're not even halfway through the season. We've only played nine of 27 games."

    The Irish and Eagles know plenty of games remain to be won and loss.

    Contact Donald Emmons at: demmons@theblade.com or 419-724-6302