The Indian River varsity softball team had been up and down, entering the Easter break, but the girls followed up with some wins, including a come-from-behind 7-6 victory over conference rival Milford on Tuesday, April 21. The Lady Indians tacked on a 5-2 win just days earlier, after traveling to Red Lion Christian Academy last Saturday, and now sit at 7-3 on the season with plenty of tests ahead.

“We’re still dealing with an adversity,” noted first-year, head coach Chris Megee. “I think there was a difference in the Milford game between the first four innings and last three. We came out a little flat, but we’re starting to learn the intensity it takes, not only on the field but in the dugout.”

The momentum started to shift after a two-run homer gave the Lady Buccaneers an early lead.

The Lady Indians rallied back and kept the score close, turning it up in the later innings. Hard shots to the outfield and consistent base running kept the scoreboard even from both sides. With a deadlocked 6-6 score entering the bottom of the regular innings, the Lady Indians knew they had to finish strong.

“I told the girls to relax,” said Megee. “We’ve done it before, and we were able to lead off with a double.”

That was followed up with two intentional walks, loading the bases for senior second-baseman Lindsay McCabe. A sharp drive down the third base line caught a glove but skipped past, sealing up the final run to end the game.

“I liked the fact that they walked our leadoff batters to get to me,” said McCabe. “It made me more pumped to get the game over with.”

McCabe went 3-4 in the Red Lion game, again proving herself as a viable asset on the team.

Despite Red Lion’s double header and 20-strikeout win over Pencader Charter moments earlier, Indian River stepped up to the challenge. They managed 15 strikeouts against the Lady Indians, although the 10 hits IR managed to pick up were just enough to grab the 5-2 win.

“We have to take one game at a time,” said McCabe. “We don’t want to dwell too much on a win, and we need to be ready.”

Megee couldn’t be happier with the way his co-captain has been representing the team.

“Lindsay’s been playing out of her mind,” he said. “We can’t expect it to happen every game, but this is the second game where she’s had a walk-off hit or done something to win the game for us.”

In addition, he’s seeing consistency throughout the bullpen, a fact that will likely fall in IR’s favor every time.

“We’re putting the bat on the ball when we making swings,” he said, “and if you can get 10 hits in a game, you have a chance to win. I don’t care where it comes from, but some has to come from the five-hitter on down. We’re starting to get that. There’s a new hero each game, and every time we’re out there, someone else is contributing. It’s great for team chemistry. We’re not waiting on one person or two people to come through. Everybody’s saying they want to be that one person.”

Among those showing composure at the plate are Alyssa Hudson, Taylor Wharton, Carleigh Walter and Amanda Horton.

“They’re all finding ways of being aggressive,” Megee noted.

“We’re playing together really well,” said McCabe. “Our hitting’s been a lot better. We’re doing well with our sixth to ninth batter, too. I’m helping the team and make sure they don’t get too worried about the count. You can’t afford to be scared to get two strikes on you when you’re at the plate. You need to be mentally prepared and not doubt yourself.”

While the girls’ mindset has been on the rise, Megee credited his coaching staff with the favorable turnaround in the teams’ games, as well.

“Chuck Shockley and Mark Sewell have really been helping out,” Megee said. “Chuck is working hard with the bottom of the lineup, getting them to be productive. Whether it’s using the slap hit or push bunt or simply sacrificing our runners and getting the ******* squeezes, the bottom of the lineup is starting to find their own identity. They are not only getting back up to top but doing something productive when they’re at the plate. It’s a good mix.

“Sewell is doing a good job establishing inside fastball with our pitchers. He’s getting the kids to believe in his philosophy. These guys are helping to make the wins happen, and that’s where most credit should be going.”

The Lady Indians hoped to better their record on Thursday, April 23, when they traveled to Sussex Central for one of the season’s most anticipated rivalries.

“It gives us a chance for us to showcase what we have,” said Megee. “It’s an opportunity to see where we stand. Central played Smyrna in a 1-0 game, and we beat them 4-3. As long as we show up, play hard and start off the way we ended against Milford, we have a chance in every game we play in.”

Next week, Megee and his squad will prepare for three games in the middle of the week, starting with Laurel at home on Tuesday.

“We’re growing,” he said, “but we’re in the middle of it now. We’re trying to win whatever we can. The light’s starting to come on, and instead of listening to what coach says and hoping they believe in themselves, they’re actually saying, ‘We can do this. Why not us?’ We play one of toughest schedules in state, and we don’t hide from anybody. As Howard Smack said to the baseball team, ‘Respect all, but fear none.’ That applies here, too.”

He’s hoping to use that momentum to get the team closer to the conference title and, eventually, into the state playoffs.

“The easiest way to get to the playoffs is to win your division,” he observed. “The Southern Division is very important to us. It would be nice to be in contention for the Henlopen Conference, but our main goal is to win the Southern Division, get into playoffs and let the chips fall from there.

“There are good teams in the north and ones we want to get to, and we’ll get our chance,” he continued. “I’ve always believed you will always win one you shouldn’t have and lose one you shouldn’t have each season. We were meant to beat Milford, so I’m still waiting for the one we’re going to steal from someone and break their heart.”

The Lady Indians take on Laurel at home at 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28. They will travel to Caravel Academy for a 4 p.m. start on Wednesday and then play at Woodbridge on Thursday, April 30, at 4:15 p.m.