VC softball opens playoffs at home versus Oberlin

The Vermilion Catholic Lady Eagles’ softball team opens the playoffs as a No. 9 seed hosting No. 24 Oberlin.
The softball gods seemed to have granted the Lady Eagles a good draw, according to head coach Jesse Faulk. He said if his team wins, they can avoid a district foe that has caused them problems this season.
“We think we got a good draw,” Faulk said. “We thought we would end up No. 10 and we would have Hanson in the next round. We were dreading that. Now, if we win we have St. Mary’s and we think we have a better draw. Of course we have to go and win. You always have to take care of the first game before you worry about any other, but we think we have a better draw.”
Oberlin (7-13) finished the year with two straight losses by a combined score of 21-2. The Lady Tigers come out of District 4-1A where all five teams made the playoffs. Oberlin finished third in the district behind champion Merryville and South Cameron.
Despite Oberlin not having a gaudy record, Faulk said the Lady Tigers have talent that should not be overlooked as well as a pitcher that has a rare approach on the mound.
“They (Oberlin) have a center fielder that’s pretty fast,” Faulk said. “She covers the whole ground in the outfield. “They have a couple of good slappers and a catcher that was the MVP of the district. Their pitcher throws really slow. Two coaches have told me it’s around 40 mph.We are going to have to adjust big time.”
Faulk said he was worried about the opponent’s pitcher because it is something his team hasn’t faced often and with the plethora of power hitters in the Lady Eagles’ lineup, it could cause tremendous problems.
“The slower the pitch the harder it is to hit because you have a tendency to pop up,” he said. “After our No. 2 hitter, we have some power hitters. Some times you get under a pitch and you might pop it up. It is an adjustment you have to make.”
VC (11-6) finished the regular season with a 14-7 win over Highland Baptist, but it has been 12 days since the team has seen live pitching. The weather has prevented the team from going out and practicing outside and Faulk said rust may play a factor in the early going of the game.
Having home field advantage in the game is something the Lady Eagles can hang their hats on and it could ease the rust of not playing in nearly two weeks.
Faulk said the key to his squad advancing to the next round involves his team’s effectiveness at the plate against Oberlin’s pitcher.
“Anytime you can play on your home field, I feel that is an advantage,” he said. “Playing at home is a lot better. We’re going to have to hit the ball. If we get good pitching then we’re going to be all right.
“I really think the key to this game is how are we going to hit this slow pitcher. When you don’t have much time to work on it, it’s a little scary. I feel confident; hopefully we can settle down and play well.”
The first pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at Vermilion Catholic High School.