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Published: Wednesday, Mar. 13, 2013 / Updated: Wednesday, Mar. 13, 2013 05:23 PM

Nora Childers belts first York home run in YCHS complex

YORK -- 

York Comprehensive High School softball standout Nora Childers, who has emerged as one of the top players in Region 3-AAAA, reached a coveted milestone in last week’s game with visiting Chester.

Though the visiting Cyclones won the slugfest 18-11, it was Childers who provided the drama.

Childers, who was a solid hitter last year and this season is known for her steady play behind the plate, stepped to the plate in the bottom of the seventh-inning and belted a grand slam home run over the centerfield fence.

Jubilant Lady Cougar teammates swarmed Childers at home plate in celebration of the first home run by a York player at the plush YCHS softball complex.

Childers’ crowd-pleasing blast capped a 5-for-5 night at the plate for the YCHS mainstay.

“I knew when I made contact that it was going to clear the fence,” Childers said with a wide grin after the game. “It felt great!”

Asked how it felt to go 5-for-5 at the plate, including the grand slam blast, Childers replied, “When I’m having a game like that, I know I am gonna hit the ball when I step to the plate.”

Head Lady Cougar coach Susan Lee Ballard lauded Childers’ monster game against the visiting Lady Cyclones.

“Hitting the first York home run in this complex was big,” assured Ballard. Nora has hit home runs in other ballparks, but it was her first one here.”

After trailing in the early innings, the YCHS girls fought back in the third inning to move ahead 7-6.

With Brianna Beverly reaching base and Brooke Ramsey receiving a free pass, sophomore Rachel Petty singled home Beverly.

Another sophomore, Megan Sutphin, singled home Ramsey and the Lady Cougars were on a roll.

Petty and Sutphin also scored runs in a productive inning that included a textbook single by Mattie Ballard.

“We had some positive things happen in the game, but gave our opponent too many runs,” said Ballard. “It’s early in the season and we have time to recover.”

The Lady Cougars conclude a week of softball Friday when they travel to South Pointe for a Region 3-AAAA game with the Lady Stallions. The first pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.