Bloody Avery Naderer does Crimson Streaks justice

CLYDE - Avery Naderer headed to the emergency room for stitches immediately after the interview for this story.

This after St. Joseph Central Catholic had sewn up a 6-3 victory over Danbury for a district championship in Division IV. The Crimson Streaks play Vienna Mathews in a regional semifinal.

Naderer's chin was bloodied when her attempt to steal second base resulted in a dislodged helmet. Her own bucket wound up slicing her chin in the collision chaos, and an inadvertent kick added one final jolt to the noggin.

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She missed one inning to stop the bleeding and affix a bandage. After having her head bobbled, the junior was a little rattled.

"It hurt, I had to overcome (the fear) of getting hurt again," she said.

It didn't take long as she didn't hesitate to bounce herself off the ground on the fly once more.

"There was a runner on first, I had to get the ball," she said. "It was in the gap. I knew I had to dive. I didn't realize the girl at first was going until I dove. I threw it and hoped to get her."

She made a challenging running catch look worry-free prior to the double play as well, without leaving her feet.

"I always know, even if I give up a hit she's there behind me and I can count on her," SJCC pitcher Stella Thomas said. "When she makes those diving plays, it helps me (on the scoreboard), and it picks me up."

"That's a long out, that's all," SJCC coaches said to one another immediately as the ball sailed toward center field off a Danbury bat following Naderer's lunge and hose.

It was the easiest of the three catches, but the ball was well hit and moving away from Naderer.

"She's been a rock out there since her freshman year," Crimson Streaks coach Chad Black said. "I don't feel she gets the recognition she deserves. She's a tremendous outfielder."

The Crimson Streaks were hungry for respect as a group after falling to the Lakers in a sectional final last season and then twice in the Sandusky Bay Conference Bay Division this year.

"This is one of my new favorite memories," Naderer said. "It was important to us. We've been talking about this. We knew we had to work harder."

Naderer started to come out of her shell, learning to take charge. She earned her toughness card.

"Being vocal in the outfield," she said. "I was always surrounded by older girls. I was a freshman with no experience on varsity. I didn't have confidence. I learned how good I could be."

mhorn@gannett.com

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This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Bloody Avery Naderer does Crimson Streaks justice