Osgood Journal Sports
May 20, 2008

Eagles victorious in three of their last four outings

Gary Franklin, Sports Writer

Beginning with a seven inning on the road battle for a victory of 13-4 at Rising Sun against the Shiners on Tuesday, May 13, a positive week unfolded for Coach David Bradshaw and his varsity Eagle baseball team.
During the Eagle/Shiner game, Eagle senior David Busch went the distance on the mound where he faced 27 batters, allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 3 hits, hit one batter and gave up no walks while striking out 9.
The Eagles again played in winning form in another on the road game, contested at Batesville, against Indiana Christian Academy on Saturday, May 12. They won it also, by the score of 10-7.
Four Eagle pitchers found work from the mound against Christian Academy. Senior David Busch opened the game where he pitched 2 2/3 innings, facing 15 batters, allowing 3 earned runs on 4 hits while walking a pair and fanning a couple. Busch hit a batter and one of the hits given was a Home Run.
Senior Eagle Brock Billman came on to pitch 2 1/3 innings. During his time on the mound, he faced 9 batters, gave up 2 runs on three hits and sent one batter back to the dugout called out on strikes.
Eagle Blake Sutton followed Billman at the mound, where he pitched 1 inning. Sutton faced 5 batters allowed 2 earned runs on 1 hit walked and struck out a batter.
Eagle senior Brandon Gehl closed the game out on the mound for JCD while pitching 2 innings. In those two innings, Gehl faced 7 batters, allowed no runs on no hits walked two and struck out two.
The Saturday win led to a double header on the road at Vevay on Monday, May 12, where the Eagles split, winning the first game 14-1, but dropping the second by the score of 4-6.
Senior Eagle Brandon Gehl went 5 innings at the mound for the win in game one at SC. Eagle senior Brock Billman pitched the full seven innings in game two of the twin bill and was charged with the loss.
Gehl faced 21 batters in 5 innings where he allowed 1 run off 3 hits, walked 2, struck out 4 and hit a batter. During Billman's 7 innings of work, he faced 32 batters, allowed 6 runs (3 earned) on 6 hits
Monday's win gave the Eagles a 6-2 ORVC season record with an overall record of 11-3.

GARY FRANKLIN PHOTO Greeted by teammates, pictured above center, JCD Eagle Shane Adams carries his batting helmet after proudly crossing home plate where the Eagles celebrated with him after he had nailed his first varsity home run in their game against Christian Academy at Batesville on Saturday, May 10. Pictured front is senior Brandon Gehl, who exploded for a pair of homers in the game and following Adams is Daniel Harlemert.

 

Coach Hartman steps down

Gary Franklin, Sports Writer

A determined and dedicated Tammy Hartman first began coaching the South Ripley Raider Cheerleader Squad in the 1999-2000 school year. She has many fond memories of her squads, their trials and their triumphs, over the past nine years in that position. In their first showing at the Swiss Wine Festival cheerleader competitions, a loud, proud and active display earned them first place among competing squads.
Since that time, the Raider cheer teams, coached by Hartman, won the Swiss Wine Festival a total of three times, which included back to back wins and it should be noted that while under her direction, the squads have always placed when competing.
Other highlights of Hartman's leadership and the Raider cheer squad's response, has been evidenced during Versailles Pumpkin Show cheer competitions over the years. Her teams have brought home the first place trophy four times. When not judged as first place winners, the team has never fallen short of placing in Pumpkin Show competitions.
With Hartman in the lead for the squads, South Ripley cheer leading prestige has earned great respect among fellow competitors. Cheerleaders and others of South Ripley High School have benefited greatly under the dedicated direction of Hartman, earning awards, medals, trophies and other honors.
Over the years, Hartman coached over 70 different young ladies and a few young men. College cheer coaches too have benefitted from the teaching and dedicated services rendered by Hartman over the years. Two former Raider cheer squad members, Amy Roberts and Steph Miller, each earned spots as cheerleaders for college teams. Erin Yocum, now of Indianapolis, also a former South Ripley Raider cheerleader, yet uses her Hartman assisted talents from cheer leading to inspire and train a Jr-High cheerleader squad.
Hartman and the cheer squads were proud of their accomplishments over the years. "We've worked many fundraisers in which the kids and I have earned over $18,000., and purchased all of our uniforms, to help offset the costs that are incurred by each cheerleaders family. In the nine years of coaching we had pep rallies, spirit weeks, sign making parties, sleep over camp outs, pizza parties and worked concessions while making great memories."
"I've enjoyed my nine years as the South Ripley Raider Varsity Cheer Coach and wish much luck to future squads." "I would especially like to thank all those parents who've supported me in my time as coach. It's been great fun!"
Hats off to Hartman for her leadership and direction while helping to make and keep SR cheer leading fun and exciting. When questioned about her tour as the coach, Hartman stated, "The kids worked really hard, and I hope they had a great time, I know I did."

GARY FRANKLIN PHOTO Smiling faces and friendly personalities, such as Mrs. Hartman above, help make visits to the SRHS office a more pleasant experience. She had led the South Ripley cheerleaders for the past nine years and will surely be missed as their coach.