News & Tribune Sports May/June 2025 | Page 6

As the sun was setting at Floyd Central High School in March, so was my softball playing career.

A SWING AND A MISS

By PATRICK MURPHY
As the sun was setting at Floyd Central High School in March, so was my softball playing career.
I had decided to take my chances from the roller derby rink to the softball field, where I would try to hit a softball in between the white-chalked lines of the diamond.
The pitcher that I had my green eyes on this evening was Floyd Central ace Emmy Miller.
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As a sophomore, she went 23-3 with a 3.18 earned-run average while striking out 188 over 119 innings. So I knew it would be a tall task to even get a hit off of the Highlanders’ top hurler. In her repertoire of pitches, Miller relies on a fastball, changeup and curveball. She said her curveball is her favorite.
So as practice ended, all of the players stayed and watch my travesty of an attempt at hitting against one of the top arms in Southern Indiana. I was given a bat and a bright green helmet. Then, I practiced swinging while Miller got ready in the bullpen.
PATRICK MURPHY By day( and most nights) Patrick Murphy is a sports reporter for the News and Tribune. He is also the primary reporter for News and Tribune Sports magazine. Patrick’ s career has taken him to Northern Indiana and Mississippi prior to landing in Southern Indiana.
I stepped into the batter’ s box with a stance that resembled retired Boston Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek. But unlike Varitek, I couldn’ t catch a break.
With both dugouts filled with Highlanders and their coaches, who were likely judging my stance and hitting mechanics, I swung and missed at the first pitch. The next nine pitches didn’ t go as planned for me either.
Fueled by the encouragement of the Floyd Central players, I tried once more to get a hit off of Miller. She stepped to the white rubber inside the circle and threw inward to me. And, this time I made contact! Even though it was only a meager foul ball, both dugouts erupted in applause and congratulations.
Sure Miller had added three more strikeouts to her season total, but I had at least accomplished one thing: I made contact.
Once again, we have been there and done that!
Josh Cook is the Sports Editor of the News and Tribune.
Brandi Jones is a seasoned marketing and design professional who leads the marketing team for a local engineering firm. She regularly contributes her graphic design skills to the News and Tribune, Floyd County Parks and Recreation and other clients.
Chris Morris is a former editor at the News and Tribune. Chris, a resident expert on all things sports, will write a feature called“ Looking Back” in each issue of News and Tribune Sports Magazine. He is currently employed at Baptist Health Floyd.
PAGE NO. 6 NEWS AND TRIBUNE SPORTS MAGAZINE MAY / JUNE 2025