To be successful in sport you need that perfect combination of talent and confidence. It's plain to see Independence senior Allie Shaw has the right "stuff" in the circle. "In the biggest games we've put her in and she's come through," said second year coach Mike D'Amato.
Few games are bigger than the Falcons semi final matchup against a familiar foe. "Going into this Tehachapi game I was very nervous but I knew I had to be calm to pitch my best game," said Shaw.
She channeled those nerves and pitched a gem, taking a no hitter into the sixth inning before her teammate came on in the seventh to get the final out. "Everything was in slow motion," said senior pitcher Jocelyn Reyes. "I didn't even realize the game was over."
The win put the Falcons back in the title game where they'll look to reverse last year's runner up finish. For coach D'Amato the talent would mean nothing without their confidence. "One of the biggest successes are they started believing in themselves," he said.
No one shows that confidence more than Shaw who responded from what she calls a *letdown junior year* to having and ERA under 2.00 and a slugging percentage over 800. But for the Falcons to reach their season long goal, it comes down to her pitching and that fastball.
But win or lose, Allie says she's just enjoying the ride.
"It's so exciting that I've been able to be a part of pitching and getting us to where we are," she said.
Independence will play Kerman in the D-III championship game Saturday at the Fresno State softball field at either 11:30 AM or 1:00 PM.
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