10 Shot – HS Softball – Columbine at Ralston Valley

By CarlAuer
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September 30, 2013
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10 Shot - HS Softball - Columbine at Ralston Valley

Saturday Morning HS Softball

The Columbine Rebels softball team headed to Ralston Valley High School to take on the Mustangs in a conference game Saturday morning.  Ralston Valley scored a run in the second inning, and a run in the sixth inning while keeping Columbine off the scoreboard.  The Rebels had a couple good chances to score, but base running errors and a great defensive outing by the Mustangs dashed those opportunities.

The 8th ranked Ralston Valley Mustangs moved to a 5-1 league record and a 12-4 overall record with three games left in the regular season including one more home game on Tuesday.

The early morning sun gave me a different lighting view, but Columbine wore bright pink jerseys from their Breast Cancer Awareness game, which made for some interesting color shifts because of lighting.  In direct sun the jerseys really popped, but in shadows, the pink really bled together.

Here is my 10 shot from the game.

10 Shot - HS Softball - Columbine at Ralston Valley
September 28, 2013: A Columbine Rebels batter swings at a pitch in the softball game against the Ralston Valley Mustangs at Ralston Valley High School in Arvada, Colorado Saturday morning.

I have shot softball for years.  Very rarely do you see high school girls bats flexing and if you do, it is just a little flex.  But in the last couple games, I have gotten some impressive bat flex photos from Ralston Valley.

10 Shot - HS Softball - Columbine at Ralston Valley
September 28, 2013: The bat of a Ralston Valley Mustang batter flexes as she swings at the ball in the game against the Columbine Rebels at Ralston Valley High School in Arvada, Colorado Saturday morning.
10 Shot - HS Softball - Columbine at Ralston Valley
September 28, 2013: The Columbine Rebels catcher in action during the softball game against the Ralston Valley Mustangs at Ralston Valley High School in Arvada, Colorado Saturday morning.

I shot this game with a little higher shutter speed and a smaller aperture.  In doing so, I really caught the strain of Rylie Strong’s pitching arm muscles as she sends the ball to the plate.

10 Shot - HS Softball - Columbine at Ralston Valley
September 28, 2013: Ralston Valley Mustangs sophomore pitcher Rylie Strong (3) delivers a pitch in the softball game against the Columbine Rebels Saturday morning at Ralston Valley High School in Arvada, Colorado.

I know various rules are different from state to state, but I am pretty sure it is a universal softball rule that crow hopping is not allowed.

10 Shot - HS Softball - Columbine at Ralston Valley
September 28, 2013: The Columbine Rebels pitcher crow hops as she delivers a pitch in the softball game against the Ralston Valley Mustangs at Ralston Valley High School in Arvada, Colorado Saturday morning.

Finally!  A proper pop fly technique where the fielder did not cover her face with her non glove arm.

10 Shot - HS Softball - Columbine at Ralston Valley
September 28, 2013: The Columbine Rebels shortstop catches a pop fly in the softball game against the Ralston Valley Mustangs at Ralston Valley High School in Arvada, Colorado.

Softball and the 300mm are great, but I would have loved to get even closer with a 400mm lens.  Katie Lamirato is a joy to watch in the outfield.  Very mobile, quick, and very few flies get past her.

10 Shot - HS Softball - Columbine at Ralston Valley
September 28, 2013: Ralston Valley Mustangs senior center fielder Katie Lamirato (1) catches a fly ball in the softball game against the Columbine Rebels at Ralston Valley High School in Arvada, Colorado Saturday morning.
10 Shot - HS Softball - Columbine at Ralston Valley
September 28, 2013: A Columbine Rebels batter attempts to slap at a pitch in the softball game against the Ralston Valley Mustangs at Ralston Valley High School in Arvada, Colorado Saturday morning.

The Columbine left fielder was playing tight on the third base foul line, so ended up running away from me to catch this fly ball.

10 Shot - HS Softball - Columbine at Ralston Valley
September 28, 2013: The Columbine Rebels left fielder reaches out to catch a well hit fly ball to the outfield in the softball game against the Ralston Valley Mustangs at Ralston Valley High School in Arvada, Colorado Saturday morning.

McKenzie did the following twice.  Did not get the outs, but was very close with the second one that was a throw from the outfield on a base hit.

10 Shot - HS Softball - Columbine at Ralston Valley
September 28, 2013: While Columbine Rebels batter Shelby Copley (8) was called safe, Ralston Valley Mustangs senior first baseman McKenzie Sadler (7) drops into the splits to keep her foot on first base as she catches a infield throw in the softball game against the Ralston Valley Mustangs at Ralston Valley High School in Arvada, Colorado Saturday morning.

These photos and more can be viewed and purchased at MaxPreps.

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