Sports
Hot Shot: L-Way East's Nikki Jarrell Drives Home with Athlete of the Week Honor
Sophomore second baseman drives in three runs in her first at-bat, adds another RBI to blast the Griffins past Oak Lawn 11-1 in Friday's softball season opener.
After compiling a 23-9 record and returning a good deal of starters, Lincoln-Way East is expected to have another outstanding softball season. If the Griffins get significant contributions from newcomers like second baseman Nikki Jarrell, then perhaps they could have a magical season like the state championship run of 2002.
Jarrell split the outfielders for a bases-clearing triple in her first career varsity at-bat in East's 11-1 victory over Oak Lawn on Friday. She added an RBI single later in the game to finish with 4 RBIs in her varsity debut. And she did it from the No. 9 spot in the batting order.
"You know she's going to be nervous coming up for her first at-bat as a sophomore," Lincoln-Way East coach Katie Meader said. "She really got us going and it not only gave her confidence in herself, but gave me confidence in her and for the team."
Jarrell admitted she was just trying to put the ball in play. The fact that she roped it between the outfielders in right field to clear the bases made it even more impressive and memorable.
"I was just trying to get the job done and put it in play," she said. "Then, I saw it in the gap and knew I had two (bases) automatically and just looked at my coach who sent me to three."
