Photos by Jim Ridolphi
Above: Bodman puts the tag on Jess Spiegler at second base in fifth inning action. Below: Chelsi Mallory charges toward Kelly Standuhar after she scores the
winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Bodman delivers for L-D
By ANDEE SEARS
Media General News Services


Apr 29, 2008

Game-winning hit in 9th inning helps turn back Hanover

Lee-Davis High’s Jamie Bodman couldn’t look Hanover pitcher Lisa Puryear in the face.

The Capital District game was tied at two in the bottom of the ninth last night when Bodman smacked a single inside first base, driving in Kelly Stajduhar for the winning run in a 3-2 victory.

With Stajduhar on second because of international tie-break rules, Heather Hannon put down a sacrifice bunt. The Hawks elected to walk catcher Chelsea Mitchell.

“Knowing that they would rather have me hit than the girl in front of me, it kind of messes with your confidence,” Bodman said.

Lee-Davis’ only loss was 3-2 at Hanover earlier this season. The senior shortstop was at the bottom of the batting order then. She’s gotten hot since, and Lee-Davis (4-1 Capital, 10-1)coach Jackie Davis moved Bodman to second in the lineup.

“When they walked Chelsea, I looked at Jamie and said, ‘I have confidence in you,’” Davis said.

Bodman grew up playing with most of the Hanover players. She and Puryear played together until middle school, then again all summer on travel teams.

“Especially when there’s a pitcher who’s your friend, I can’t look at their face,” Bodman said. “I have to look at the ball.”

In her final at-bat last night, Bodman watched the ball for a while. She lined a couple foul over the Confederates’ dugout. And then she came up with the winning single.

“That’s one of the best prep softball games I’ve ever been associated with,” Hawks coach Chris Pace said. “My kids stole hits. Their kids stole hits . . . It doesn’t get any better than this.”

Hanover took a two-run lead in the third with Lindsay Smith and Courtney Long both scoring. Lee-Davis tied it in the sixth when Jana Martin led off with a triple to deep center. Amanda Parker followed with a bunt, and Martin was tagged out, but an official conference reversed the call and the hit was ruled foul. Pitcher Kelsie Hudson drove in the tying run.

The loss ended a 10-game winning streak for Hanover (4-1 Capital, 10-3), the defending Central Region champion. It was the first time in two years that Lee-Davis had beaten the Hawks.

“To be honest, it was getting to be a little bit of a monkey on my back,” Davis said with a laugh.

Hanover ------------------------- 002 000 000—2 7 0
Lee-Davis ------------------------- 000 011 001—3 6 0
Puryear and Long; Hudson and Mitchell.

(0) Comments • Email This Article