HILLSDALE — There were already plenty of reasons the varsity softball doubleheader between the Hillsdale Hornets and Reading Rangers was the most unique of the season.
Two of the area’s top pitchers were set to duel in the circle. Both entered the night with more than 100 strikeouts this season. One is an emerging sophomore ace trying to continue elevating a rebuilding Hillsdale program. The other is a junior who had unexpectedly been pushed into Reading’s lead pitching role a season ago and now carried the tradition of a Rangers program that had already won four straight district titles.
Then there was the emotional storyline waiting in the infield.
Hillsdale senior Kristyn Mapes stood across from her younger sister, Reading sophomore Jordyn Mapes, for the first — and only — varsity softball matchup of their lives.
One sister wore red and yellow. The other wore blue and gold. By the end of the night, the rivalry fittingly ended with each side claiming a victory.
A fitting split
Hillsdale rolled to a 13-5 win in the opener behind a dominant strikeout performance from sophomore pitcher Kherington Ladd before Reading answered with an 18-9 victory in the nightcap behind junior ace Leah Headley and a Rangers offensive explosion.
For the Mapes sisters, though, the scoreboard was only part of the story.
“It was very special,” Kristyn Mapes said. “Upsetting, kind of, because this is my last year, and first time, and last home game. But I loved every moment of it. It was awesome.”
The sisters grew up together around softball, but their educational paths eventually split. Kristyn transferred back to Hillsdale after attending Reading earlier in her school years, while Jordyn remained with the Rangers.
“Actually, I transferred to Reading when I was in eighth grade, and then decided to just come back to Hillsdale, because that’s where home felt,” Kristyn said. “And then she went there during sixth grade, and then decided that’s where she wanted to stay at.”
Despite years of playing softball, the doubleheader became the first time the two had ever competed against one another.
Jordyn said the moment meant everything.
“I just want to say thank you to her for being the bigger sister to me, and I can always look up to her during softball or anything,” Jordyn said. “I’m really glad that we got to have a game together.”
The emotions of the matchup showed themselves throughout the evening. At one point, Kristyn stood on first base while Jordyn covered the bag beside her, creating a moment neither sister expected to forget.
“We’re best friends,” Kristyn said. “We’ve gone a long way together. Before this game, we were going back and forth at each other, like, ‘Oh, we’re going to win this.’ ‘No, you’re going to win this.’ And tonight, we split it, and that was amazing.”
Pitching duel showcases team previews for postseason
The opener quickly became a showcase for Ladd, who has rapidly established herself as one of the area’s premier underclassmen pitchers.
After arriving at Hillsdale from Will Carleton Academy before her freshman season, Ladd immediately stepped into the Hornets’ ace role and struck out 120 batters during her first varsity campaign. She entered the game already beyond that number as a sophomore, with 125 strikeouts as of the writing of this article.
Ladd dominated Reading in the opening game, striking out 15 batters while also contributing offensively with two hits, three steals, one RBI and one run scored.
“At first it was a lot of pressure because I actually came here in my freshman year and I didn’t know anybody,” Ladd said. “It was all new to me. But once I got rolling, I started getting better.”
Ladd said the transition to Hillsdale offered more opportunities academically and athletically, and she has embraced becoming the centerpiece of the Hornets’ pitching staff.
“My favorite thing about softball is that pitchers are super unique,” Ladd said. “It’s a position that’s hard for some people, and I feel like it’s my calling and my spot.”
Hillsdale’s offense backed her throughout the opener.
Kristyn Mapes finished with two RBIs and a run scored. Senior standout Sierra Kibert added one hit, three steals and two runs. The Hornets aggressively attacked the bases and consistently pressured Reading’s defense.
Still, Reading continued producing extra-base hits against Hillsdale pitching.
Jordyn Mapes, Mckenzey Penza and Emma Gerth each doubled for the Rangers. Savanna McDonald led the offense with a triple, two hits, two RBIs and one run scored. Gerth and Penza each drove in a run, while Gerth crossed the plate twice.
Headley entered in relief during the opener and struck out seven batters.
The junior pitcher has become one of the most important pieces in Reading’s transition season. Last year, injuries unexpectedly forced Headley into larger innings as a sophomore. Now, under a new coaching staff following the departure of longtime coach Melissa Hamisfar, Headley has emerged as Reading’s unquestioned ace.
“Last year I had a good group of people behind me, and I had all the support, so I really appreciated stepping into that circle confident,” Headley said. “When they all left, it was a little bit nerve-wracking, but I came in more confident as everybody from the team started to really grow and push.”
Despite having no seniors on the roster, the Rangers have continued winning games while chasing a fifth straight district championship.
“We’ve all had a taste of it now,” Headley said. “We know we want to win, and we know we want to push ourselves.”
Reading’s offense exploded in the second game to salvage the split.
Headley earned the win with six strikeouts while helping herself offensively with three hits, three RBIs and two runs scored.
Jordyn Mapes delivered two doubles and scored twice. Emma Gerth added two runs. McDonald drove in two runs and scored once, while Jazzelle Hassenzahl finished with two hits, one RBI and two runs. Madison Nakata totaled three hits, one RBI and two runs for the Rangers.
Jordyn said Reading’s response after the opening loss showed the team’s resilience.
“Everyone was trying their hardest,” Jordyn said. “Everyone makes mistakes, and I’m just really glad that everyone persevered through it and came through the second game, and we got the win in the second game.”
Hillsdale continued to battle offensively in the second game despite the loss.
Ladd added six more strikeouts before being relieved by Savannah Radabaugh. Senior Layla Stebbins finished with a triple, two hits, three RBIs and one run. Ladd doubled and added two hits with a run scored. Kristyn Mapes contributed two hits, one RBI and one run.
Kibert totaled two hits, one RBI and three runs. Aubree Peck doubled, while Madelyn Roberts added a triple for the Hornets.
As the regular season inches closer toward district play, the doubleheader served as a measuring stick for both programs. It showcased two accomplished pitchers, two competitive softball teams and one family memory that neither dugout will soon forget.
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Mapes sisters, 100 strikeout pitchers headline unique softball game
Reporting by Joseph Flaherty, Hillsdale Daily News / Hillsdale Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
