- November 25, 2024
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Spruce Creek's Lexi Clark blasts a ball over the fence against FPC. Photo by Ray Boone
Hawks right fielder Lexi Clark throws a ball to first base against FPC. Photo by Ray Boone
Spruce Creek's Tiana Hernandez throws a pitch against FPC. Photo by Ray Boone
Hawks shortstop Anna Carter throws a ball to first base against FPC. Photo by Ray Boone
The Hawks' Ali Persico (No. 18) gives a teammate a high-five. Photo by Ray Boone
Lexi Clark was in a slump.
For the past five games, the Hawks’ starting right fielder and No. 8 hitter had been grounding, popping and striking out routinely. In her first at-bat against Flagler Palm Coast on Friday, March 30, she grounded out yet again. She wasn’t the same hitter who sent her team home with a win on a walk-off home run against Lyman on March 6.
Then came the fifth inning.
With a steady rain blanketing the field at Spruce Creek High School, Bulldogs hurler Ella Ferri threw the perfect pitch: an inside ball that was belt-high — just how Clark likes it.
Clark knew she hit it hard as soon as the ball connected with her bat.
The ball sailed well over the left-field fence, carrying any chance of a Bulldogs’ comeback along with it.
“It was pretty cool,” Clark said nonchalantly after the game. “I hated being in a slump. Everybody does. So, it was nice to finally break out of it.”
The Hawks beat down on an already wounded FPC team on Friday, stomping the Bulldogs, who have yet to win a game the entire season, 10-0 in six innings. But despite the excellent pitching and stifling defense, Hawks coach Cameron McClelland was most ecstatic to see the bats heat up throughout his lineup, especially with the district tournament — which begin on April 23 — right around the corner.
“We’ve got about six of those girls in the lineup who, on any given swing, can send it over the fence. It’s always good to see it happen, and you hope that it keeps up for the next couple games.”
Hawks coach Cameron McClelland
Six Hawks starters, including Clark, have launched a ball over the fence this season, and four more players, Clark said, have been hitting over in practice. In addition, the Hawks’ junior varsity squad had two girls hit home runs this year.
“We’ve got the bats, and then you mix in a little bit of speed at the end of our lineup. It’s a good combination,” McClelland said. “It’s just a matter of getting them to all do it during the same night.”
