Orrick softball coach Chase Sims saw perhaps the best hit from the Bearcats this varsity season during their 20-0 loss in three innings April 5 to visiting Sweet Springs.

Leadoff batter Natasha Hicks provided the hit. In the bottom of the first inning, the senior swatted a pitch into center field.

“Usually, I just get really nervous when I’m up to bat,” Hicks said. “So I really had to take (a) couple deep breaths before I hit that ball. Going into it, I was like, ‘If it’s close, I have to swing,’ because I had two strikes there.”

“And I was actually really impressed with myself there – I have to be honest,” she added. “It did surprise me when I hit the ball.”

It was Orrick’s only hit in the I-70 Conference loss. That same inning, however, Izzy Wheeler threatened to get a base hit when she lofted a fly ball into center. It was caught.

“Whenever Izzy got that hit, I was really excited, and then, I was really sad when it got caught,” Hicks said.

After Wheeler’s fly out, Sweet Springs pitcher Ma…