It was April 1^st, but it was no April Fool’s joke - another milestone in the history of Derby Homeschool Athletic Association was achieved when the Derby Invasion High School Softball team took the field at The Karl Cole Sports Complex in Osawatomie, Kansas near Emporia against the home town Trojans.    The road to this momentous event was long in many ways and short in others.   Pulling together the team in just the last few months was no small task – but the 3 hour drive to get there seemed long indeed.

Led by Coach Amy Macias, the 16 players arrived excited and ready to play.   For several Invasion players this was their first time in a real game so there were a few jitters prior to the first pitch, but by game time everyone was ready to go.   In the first inning the Invasion were unable to put a run on the scoreboard and then the defense, led by the starting battery of pitcher Elizabeth Macias and catcher Katie St. John, held the Osawatomie team scoreless.

Trailing 6-0 in the 3^rd, the Derby team scored their first run in DHAA history when Katie St. John singled with 2 outs scoring Abby Shinkle.   The Invasion were able to keep it close at 6-2 until Osawatomie broke it open in the 3^rd inning with 9 runs on their way on to a 15-2 win.  

The Starting Lineup…

Pitcher – Elizabeth Macias

Catcher – Katie St. John

First Base – Kay Denton

Second Base – Abby Shinkle

Shortstop – Renae Bergen

Third Base – Morgan Dester

Left Field – Jewels Wampler

Center Field – Leah Pauli

Right Field – Laurel Palmer

Subs…

Kerrie Barger

Melody Bloyer

Amanda Gillman

Hannah Gillman

Kristin Gillman

Becca Mertens

Rebecca Toth

The Firsts…

-           First Head Coach – Amy Macias

-           First Pitch (a strike) – Elizabeth Macias

-           First Inning Holding Opponent to zero runs – 1^st Inning

-           First Pitcher to Strike Out Opponent – Elizabeth Macias – 4^th Inning (2^nd Game)

-           First Runner – Abby Shinkle

-           First Hit – Leah Pauli

-           First Hit By Pitch – Renae Bergen

-           First RBI – Katie St John

-           First Run Scored – Abby Shinkle

-           First Stolen Base – Abby Shinkle