'Picture perfect' start for Madi Bland, Edgewood softball vs. North

For Madi Bland, it was in every way an ideal start to the softball season. Sunny, temps in the mid-70s for first pitch on Tuesday and a nice breeze blowing out to center. Her sister, Ally in the circle, spinning a perfect game with nine strikeouts.

And Madi, 22 months removed from her last high school softball game having torn her ACL playing basketball midway though her junior year, shined as well. Settling in at shortstop and at the plate, she went 4-for-4 with a homer, three RBIs and three runs scored in an 11-0, six-inning win at Bloomington North. A simply perfect welcome back.

"It felt nice," Bland said. "I came into it just happy for the opportunity. I was just ready to play with my girls.

I got a little bit of play in fall, but it was good to see the ball on the bat again and on the field. " Edgewood head coach Mike Hammett was a bit worried about how wound up she would be, maybe attempting to make up for a lost season in one game. She worked out those feelings in the scrimmage against Franklin.