Fischer dominant as pitcher, hitting comes through late
By Bob Nuse, The Packet Group
With Lauren Fischer pitching a typical Lauren Fischer game, the Robbinsville High softball team needed to find a way to push across a run in its Central Jersey Group II final against Raritan.
While Fischer didn’t allow a hit or even let a hitter get the ball out of the infield in seven innings, there was still the matter of the Ravens’ offense needing to score in order to secure a third straight sectional title.
After leaving runners stranded at third in both the second and fourth innings, the Ravens finally got the run they needed in the fifth when Felicia Schumacher singled home Gabby Manto with the only run of the game to give Robbinsville a 1-0 win and a third straight sectional title.
”It was stressful at times because we had so many opportunities and they slipped away,” said Fischer, who finished with 13 strikeouts. “But in the end we made the best of it. We made all the plays in the field and won the game and that is what matters.”
It was the bottom of the lineup that came through for the Ravens in getting the run they needed. Manto opened the inning with a base hit and was sacrificed to second by Morgan Psilek to set the stage for the freshman Schumacher, who delivered as she has all season.
”A fool would only not have confidence in Felicia at this point,” said Robbinsville coach Christine Cabarle, whose team improved to 23-2 heading into Tuesday’s state semifinal against Buena. “She has come up big in so many games. She is just a freshman and she is doing her job without a doubt.
”Gabby getting on was big. And then Morgan came through with the bunt to get her to second. That is one of the things we have in our benefit is that when you have a girl that has to sacrifice bunt she doesn’t think twice. She moves the runner over and there is no glory in that. But when the season is over, that trophy is just as much hers as the girl who scores at home.”
The run would prove to be all the Ravens needed to win the game, as Fischer and the defense did the rest.
”I don’t really think of it as pressure,” said Schumacher, who also drove in a key run in the Ravens 3-2 come-from-behind win over Johnson Regional in the sectional semifinals. “I just try to hit and do my best. I don’t think about if we’re down or it is tied. I just want to do the best I can. I am just trying to make contact and get on base or get the runner in.
”Their pitcher had pretty good speed and movement. It takes us a little while sometimes to get it going but when we get it going we’re good. I knew something good was going to happen.”
Fischer walked the first batter in the sixth, but then retired the final six to help the Ravens to the sectional title.
”I think my concern is that every inning there is more pressure on Fischer and Becca (Freeman, the Robbinsville catcher),” Cabarle said. “And every coach would prefer the opposite. I don’t think it is for a lack of effort. And at the end of the day they are making it happen.”
And whether it is the top or bottom of the order, the Ravens have players who can deliver when needed.
”We have a very clutch group of girls,” Fischer said. “Felicia has knocked in so many important runs. She is so calm and focused. Every time she is up you know she is going to do something big. There were many times I thought it might happen and it didn’t happen.
”Felicia comes up very big. Throughout the lineup we have an excellent group of hitters, especially at the bottom of the lineup. To turn the lineup over is very important and they do a great job with that.”