Bridging the gap
By Chris Burke
To the average fan, making out a softball lineup probably looks like a simple task. Write in a name here, a position there, and presto.Those in the know, of course, realize what a challenge it can be. You need look no further than the Culpeper lineup.
In the leadoff spot is sensational hitter Nichole Beall. Two spaces behind her Nichole is her twin sister, Michelle, an equally adept slugger.
But who to put between them?
The Devilettes’ No. 2 hitter must protect Nichole Beall, set the table for Michelle Beall and can be the difference between a huge rally, and an uneventful inning.
Currently linking the Beall-to-Beall chain is senior left fielder Sam Robson.
"There’s a lot of pressure, I’m not going to lie,” Robson said, smiling.
At least for the moment, Robson is a key to the CCHS offense.
Take Culpeper’s April 15 game at Liberty, for example. Tied 0-0 in the third, Nichole Beall doubled with two outs to put runners and second and third.
It was a classic “Intentional Walk” situation ? putting the next hitter on first base would have set up a force play anywhere for the defense.
Except the next hitter was Robson, and behind her Michelle Beall. Rather than pitch to Beall with the bases loaded, Liberty attacked Robson.
And she delivered a two-RBI single. Culpeper went on to win 2-0.
Then there is last Friday’s game against Highland. Five times Nichole Beall came to the plate, and five times Highland walked her.
That game, Robson finished 0-for-5, and Culpeper managed just one run in a 10-inning win. “Sometimes I can come through,” she said after that victory, in which she scored the only run. “And sometimes I can’t.”
The important thing is that Culpeper coach Janice Gillespie believes that she will produce.
Otherwise, the Devilettes’ lineup card would look different.
"Sam Robson’s been hitting the ball really well,” Gillespie said. “I usually can depend on her to slap somebody around for me.”
No, the friendly Robson is not the team bully. Rather, Gillespie refers to Robson’s hitting style.
She has turned into a prototypical softball slap hitter. Robson is a fast, intelligent batter who can spray the ball from the left side of the plate.
Or the right, if need be.
"Just three years ago, one of my travel coaches switched me around,” Robson said. “I started off on the right side and I couldn’t hit it very hard, so he switched me around.”
The move has paid dividends ? and no one is asking Robson to hit the long ball anyway. “No, never,” she said about that prospect with a laugh. “I’ve never been a power hitter.”
She has two clear roles right now: move Nichole Beall around the bases, and give Michelle Beall someone to knock in.
"Usually they walk Nichole, so it puts more pressure on me to get on,” Robson said. “It gives me more incentive to get the ball in play.”
Working in Robson’s favor is her calm, relaxed demeanor.
She is completely confident in her ability to help the Devilettes, and in the team's overall potential. With just a few games left before the postseason, CCHS is a challenger for the Cedar Run district crown, and maybe more.
"I think we’re ready this year more than we ever have been,” Robson said. “This is a team that could go to states and win it.”
Just how deep of a playoff run the Devilettes make will depend heavily on their offense.
An offense that will rely so much on Robson.
"I can either bunt it or slap it or stand in there and hit it,” she said. “There’s a lot of teams that don’t know how to play me because I’m so unpredictable with what I want to do.”