Lakewood softball strengthens bond after tragic death of teammate

NEWARK — Once the softball leaves the hand of Dani Stewart, the Lakewood senior pitcher knows she has lost control of the result.

Stewart could only hope for help as the ball was sent into the outfield on Wednesday. Junior Carly Williams in center field in the fifth inning and sophomore Cora Redman in right field in the sixth and seventh innings made impressive catches to preserve Lakewood's 9-6 victory at Newark in the Lancers' season opener.

"I am thinking, 'They had better get my back.' I am praying that they have this, and I just count on them every single time the ball goes out there," Stewart said. "We all just counted on each other and made the right plays."

Williams' lunging catch in shallow center field ended a 1-2-3 bottom of the fifth inning. Redman snagged a line drive along the right-field line to end the sixth off the bat of junior Lilly Holmes to save multiple runs, and she made a sliding catch in shallow right field to leave standout freshman Lexi Shanaberg in the on-deck circle.

Lakewood won its first game since the loss of sophomore player Megan Hart who died in a car crash in early March. The Lancers rallied together on a day they trailed 5-1 after four innings and were missing multiple starters who are on the school's band trip to Disney World.

"We all really worked together and felt more like a team than we ever have this game," Stewart said. "We have a little prayer circle before the game, and we always just say, 'We are doing it for Megan.'"

Hart was expected to be a key piece in a program with a bevy of young players. Those young players were in the spotlight Wednesday.

Sophomore Anna Crist totaled three hits, including a double, two runs scored and four RBIs out of the No. 9 spot. Redman, a sophomore returning starter, added two hits and two RBIs, and freshman Katie Tolliver, filling in at first base for senior Becca Streets, singled twice.

"I love how the community has come together to be there for us, and everyone is just playing for Megan now," Redman said. "She would always have fun when she was playing, and she always had a smile on her face."

Newark, too, is attempting to reload, returning just two starters after last season's run to a Division I district championship. The Wildcats' loss on Wednesday was eerily similar to their opener on Monday, when they led 4-2 in the sixth inning before falling 8-4 to New Albany.

Senior Paige Simons opened the game with a double, and sophomore Mallory Back and Shanaberg combined for seven of the Wildcats' 14 hits in the Nos. 2 and 3 spots. Junior Calyn Music added two hits and an RBI.

"This is the best game we've played so far. It's by far the most production we've had," Newark coach Chris Back said. "It is a little intimidating. Hopefully, by mid-season, they will get used to it and play a little more in their head."

Lakewood left runners on base each of the first four innings, including Back, Shanaberg and Music combining to turn a 5-2-3 double play to end the third, before finally breaking through. Crist and Redman each delivered two-run hits to tie the game in the top of the fifth.

Freshman Riley Williams gave the Lancers the lead for good in the top of the sixth. Crist followed with a two-run double later in the inning.

"It is nice first off for them to just find a way to win," Lakewood coach Jon Griffith said. "That's step No. 1. There are freshmen getting a ton of playing time, so that's good. We will be very excited to get our girls back who are on a trip right now, but it's good experience for everyone."

Stewart struck out eight for Lakewood, going the distance. Freshman Amora Spring struck out three and pitched into the sixth for Newark.

Shanaberg's perfect 4-for-4 day included her first home run on a line drive down the left-field line. She now has seven hits in eight at-bats to start her career with the Wildcats.

"It's always fun to watch them get their first high school home run," Chris Back said. "It got out of here in a hurry."

Newark hosts Gahanna on Friday and visits Heath for a doubleheader on Saturday before beginning Ohio Capital Conference-Buckeye Division play next week.

Lakewood hosts Zanesville on Thursday to begin Licking County League play. The Lancers visit Worthington Kilbourne on Friday as they embark on a season that already has provided adversity incomparable to anything they will encounter on the diamond.

"We tell each other we love each other every single day," Griffith said. "I hear the kids saying it to themselves, and I say it to my kids all of the time. We don't take any day for granted right now."

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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Lakewood softball strengthens bond after tragic death of teammate