North Union softball coach Dawn Draper celebrates her 400th career win with her team and staff after a 10-0 victory over Buckeye Valley on Wednesday. The victory increased the Lady Cats’ record to 18-1 on the season.
(Journal-Tribune record by Sam Dillon)
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North Union’s softball game against Buckeye Valley was no different for the Lady Cats.
It was just another game of the regular season. The Lady Cats took the field, like usual, warmed up and played against their Mid Ohio Athletic Conference rival Buckeye Valley for six innings before North Union claimed another victory, this time by a final score of 10-0.
The one thing that made this win so special was it was head coach Dawn Draper’s 400th career win.
The humble Draper gave praise to her players in helping her get to the coaching milestone.
“My goal is I just want to see them win,” Draper said. “We had to work together and it has been a really good week.”
The Lady Cats jumped to an early lead when Avery Clark launched the ball over the left field fence with runners on to give North Union a 3-0 lead in the first inning.
“We had to put a mixture in,” Draper said. “Besides Avery’s ball that has a stewardess on it because it is probably still flying, we had to put some bunts down.
“We had to see the ball differently and we executed again.”
The Lady Cats not only executed in the batters box, but Madison Wedding was also able to execute inside the pitching circle.
She held the Lady Barons to five hits, while fanning five.
Draper added that there have been many memorable moments within her coaching career.
However, she was happy that her senior pitcher was in the circle for the 400th victory.
“Madison (Wedding) is a senior and she is going to step up any game,” said Draper. “I was really glad that she was able to pitch my 400th.
“It is one of those games that you will remember,” she said. “Madi has a lot of special memories in my head and clearly this is going to be one of them.”
The Lady Cats continued their offensive efforts by tallying runs in the third, fourth and sixth innings to reach the run-rule of a 10-run lead.
The Lady Barons pressured NU a bit in the sixth inning with a double,
However, solid defense and a third out ‘K’ ended the game to give Draper her 400th.
Draper reflected on her first thoughts as feeling nothing but “blessed.”
“My kids making signs and Terry (assistant coach Setsere) grabbing the ball for me; we have so many unselfish people,” said Draper. “I’m talking about the community, my friends, my staff, the girls, and the school. It was great to see everybody here to be my support system.”
After the teams congratulated each other, the North Union faithful took to the field to help Draper celebrate her victory. Draper said this is her family and was overwhelmed by the support.
“My softball team is my family and I have had 20 different families,” she said. “I have been here for 20 years and I call them my family. This family goes with my family… there is no difference.”
Draper believes that her success comes from not only her community, family and support system, but from her own personal goals.
“Never stop learning new things,” she said. “Always reach out to those that can help you. Never stop believing it will happen.
“Don’t ever shy away from playing the best, because to be the best you have to play the best,” she said. “Work hard and surround yourself with people that will make you successful. That is my success story.”
The Lady Cats increased their record to 18-1 with the win and will return to action at the Gahanna-Lincoln Classic over the weekend.
NU 303 103-10 13 1
BV 000 000-0 5 0
WP- Wedding, 6 IP
LP- Schick, 3 IP