Another game, another shutout for Shady Side Academy's girls softball team.
The Indians blanked Mt. Alvernia, 6-0, Tuesday, stretching their shutout streak to six games. In 32 innings this season, no opposing player has been able to cross the plate against Shady Side.
"I didn't expect to have six shutouts already," junior pitcher Kate McCarthy said. "This last game they came the closest to scoring. In the last inning they had someone on first and third, but we were able to get out of it.
"We're more confident right now than we've ever been."
The Indians were a WPIAL playoff team in 2002 without McCarthy, who missed most of the season after knee surgery. Her return to the mound has been nothing short of spectacular.
In 32 innings, McCarthy has allowed eight hits and walked five while ringing up 68 strikeouts. She's thrown two no-hitters and a pair of one-hitters in Shady Side's six games.
"(McCarthy) is throwing the ball better than I've ever seen her throw it before," junior catcher Abby Bodenlos said. "She added a drop curve this year, and it's working really well."
The Indians have played mistake-free defense behind McCarthy.
"We haven't made an error yet," said Frank McCarthy, who is in his first season as Shady Side's head coach. "We're making the routine plays, and that's the difference. But when we do get tested, I have confidence in our defense. They're going to make plays."
The Indians' offense has been clicking, too. Four of Shady Side's first six games didn't go the distance because of the 10-run rule.
"We knew from the beginning of the season that we would be able to hit," Kate McCarthy said. "We've been hitting well from the first day we started. I'd bet we're battign over .300 as a team."
Sooner or later, the Indians are going to give up a run.
"The other teams are going to score. They just haven't yet," Frank McCarthy said. "But we're going to enjoy this while it lasts."
As the Indians' scoreless streak continues to grow, so does the team's confidence.
"We knew were were going to be a pretty good team, but we didn't realize we would be as good as we are right now," Bodenlos said. "It's real exciting."
