Clapper shows she is back to 100% in district semifinal win over Shelby
WILLARD — Way back on March 28 when the Madison Rams hosted the Shelby Whippets in a frigid doubleheader, Madison coach Tim Niswander believed his sophomore All-Ohio pitcher Caliyah Clapper was at about 60% after offseason hip surgery. Clapper believes she was about 70%. DISTRICT 9 AWARDS: Lexington's Davis, Galion's Fagan highlight All-District 9 baseball honors On Thursday, May 21, she was 100% and showed it in a big way during a 5-1 Division III district semifinal rematch against the Whippets.
Clapper collected three hits and two RBIs with a home runs while tossing a complete game in the circle allowing one run on seven hits with seven strikeouts. Maybe she is more like 110%. “100%,” Clapper said.
“I was struggling with my hip and it took a mental toll on me, but I looked at it as I wasn’t even supposed to be able to play this season and here I am. I am grateful I can step out on the field. ” It was a night and day difference than that early-season twin billing that Shelby swept 8-6 and 13-0.
“The first time we played them, it was the third game of the year and we were hurt,” Niswander said. “We didn’t play well and we still went into extra innings. We knew we were right there and could develop a good plan on the mound.
” The Rams jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the first and proceeded to work out of a bases-loaded jam in the home half of the inning which set the table for a 3-run second inning and another run in the third for a 4-0 lead after just two and a half innings. The early cushion was just what Clapper needed. “I think it would help any pitcher feel like you don’t have to be perfect,” Niswander said.
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