Scheumann throws no-hitter; Braves defeat Northrop
Freshman MaryKate Scheumann turned in a memorable performance for the Bellmont Braves on Thursday night, pitching a no-hitter as the Braves defeated the Fort Wayne Northrop Bruins on the road 3-0.
It was apparent early on that Scheumann was in the zone and in total control.
She displayed fantastic command, striking out batter after batter. When the Bruins did make contact, it was typically harmless pop-ups or ground balls that did not trouble the infielders or Scheumann who fielded her position on several occasions.
The game was low-scoring throughout. Not until the second inning would either team get a runner on base.
Northrop’s first base runner came in unorthodox fashion off a dropped third strike. But no damage would be done as Shortstop Aaliyah Faurote ended the inning by shuffling to her left to field a grounder before stepping on second and firing the ball to Piper Baker at first to complete the double play.
Faurote would continue the momentum when the Braves came up to bat in the third.
The sophomore hit a flyball out to center field that could not be caught even with a diving attempt. The ball rolled to the wall and Faurote raced to third base with a triple.
The first run was scored when Emily Bleke singled to left field, scoring Faurote.
In the bottom of the third, Northrop would go through a one, two, three inning- something that happened multiple times on the night.
In the middle innings, Scheumann received outstanding support from Baker.
Baker ended the fourth inning by diving to her right to stop a ball that looked destined for the right field grass. She came up with it cleanly, got up and stepped on first for the out.
The fifth inning ended with another highlight reel play from Baker. This time, she stretched out to snare a line drive that also looked like a certain hit.
Going into the dugout, the Bellmont players were understandably excited, and it was clear that their confidence was on the rise.
Meanwhile, Scheumann continued to keep Northrop hitters guessing. She did a great job mixing up her pitches and hitting different parts of the strike zone.
But while Scheumann was brilliant in the circle for Bellmont, Northrop Starting Pitcher Brilee Day did a nice job keeping her squad in the game.
The score was still 1-0 going into the seventh, but that would soon change.
Bellmont would provide additional breathing room for Scheumann when Baker hit a double to left field, driving in two runs.
Up 3-0, Scheumann went back to work, ready to finish off a milestone.
Several foul balls- some of which carried and landed just outside the linegave reason to worry that the no-hit bid might fall just short.
But Scheumann never looked short of confidence.
She worked through the final inning and completed the no-hitter.
After the game ended, and after handshakes were exchanged by all participants, Scheumann received the adulation of her teammates, and justifiably so after recording an historic feat- one that will certainly be talked about at Bellmont for a long time to come.