| RHS softball lineup goes back to normal |
By: By JOSH EZZELL
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J.P. Edwards missed five softball games recently because of an emergency appendectomy and upon her return took a nasty foul ball in the stomach.
The Riverdale senior catcher wasn't hurt. Edwards, who claims playing catcher is like riding a bike, quickly shook off the pain and went about her business. That's good news for Riverdale, which had to shuffle its lineup during the District 7-AAA Tournament because of her absence.
"Several people changed (positions)," said Riverdale coach Jeff Breeden, whose squad improved to 48-4-1 Friday night after beating Ooltewah 2-0 in the sectional round, putting the Lady Warriors in the state tournament for the first time in school history. Riverdale faces Knoxville Central 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Star*Plex.
"Everybody gets back to normal," Breeden added.
Edwards' surgery started a domino effect that resulted in four lineup changes. Sophomore Alice O'Brien moved from right field to second base with Edwards on the shelf. Senior Kelsey Woodruff replaced Edwards behind the plate. Senior Jessica Whitens moved from second base to shortstop, and Bre Thomas became the right fielder instead of the designated player.
Nevertheless, Riverdale rolled with the punches and kept winning. With the new lineup Riverdale went 5-0 and outscored the opposition 33-1.
"It doesn't bother me," Whitens said of moving to shortstop. "It wasn't a big change."
Early last week the chance emerged that Riverdale might have to make another adjustment. On Monday Edwards felt that she was ready to resume her duties behind the plate. She practiced on Tuesday and was in the lineup Wednesday against Columbia.
"I was excited," said Edwards, who's been Cat Hosfield's catcher the last three seasons. "I said, 'I have to be ready to play on Wednesday.'"
She was ready, and Riverdale benefited.
Woodruff returned to shortstop. O'Brien went to right field. Whitens returned to second base, and Thomas was the designated player.
Hosfield held Columbia to one hit — it was her 17th one-hitter of the season — and shut out Ooltewah for the second time this season Friday night. She threw a perfect game against Ooltewah March 17 in a 1-0 Riverdale win. Hosfield is fourth in national high school history for most wins in a season with 42.
"Just from J.P.'s standpoint it's good to see her back," Breeden said.
Riverdale would agree.
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