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Scripps Ranch Pitcher Thrives in Home Softball Environment
| Bistre zippy digit ratio telephone | 05/02/08 |
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Date: May 2nd, 2008 12:19 AM Author: Bistre zippy digit ratio telephone Scripps Ranch pitcher thrives in home's softball environment
By Justin Lafferty SPECIAL TO THE UNION-TRIBUNE
8:40 p.m. April 15, 2008
EDUARDO CONTRERAS / Union-Tribune Scripps Ranch pitcher Rachel Brown, who will attend Harvard in the fall, is 14-1 for the No. 3-ranked Falcons. Rachel Brown feels at home on a softball field, but her family appears to have taken that literally.
Brown, a senior pitcher for Scripps Ranch High, lives in a house that's a scoreboard and sunflower seeds away from becoming her favorite place in the world. Her father, Craig Brown, built a pitching circle in the back yard, complete with lights in case Rachel's bullpen sessions extend into the night.
The project became necessary a couple of years ago when the upstairs hallway was no longer suitable for fastballs. After Rachel and younger sister Meredith put dents in the wall, Craig felt it best to practice outside.
The downstairs hallway converts into a batting cage, with softballs shooting into a netted garage.
Rachel is grateful that her parents have helped nourish her softball career, even if it's meant a little remodeling.
“My dad has always been there for me,” Brown said of her longtime batterymate. “Having my dad catch me all these years has been huge.”
Brown is 14-1 this season with an ERA just above zero. She tossed a no-hitter Friday, striking out 18 in Scripps Ranch's 14-0 win over Serra.
Falcons coach Mary Jo Griswold attributes Brown's success to her ability to throw four pitches for strikes, including a nasty riser.
What keeps Brown's motor going is a list, printed on a small piece of paper.
At the top are the words “perfect game,” something she's still trying to achieve. Next, it's “no-hitter,” which she's thrown a few times. From there, it goes to one-hitter, shutout, a win and, in black letters, confidence. Brown makes sure she never loses her poise in the circle.
“She pitches tougher when runners are on base. That's when she bears down,” Griswold said. “I see her take complete control. She gets the ball back and immediately throws, disrupting the timing of the batter.”
The Falcons (16-2-2), ranked third in the San Diego Section, look up to Brown not only as a team captain, but as the “team mom,” a title they bestowed on her. They respect her sense of responsibility as well as her organization skills, which she learned from a fifth-grade teacher. Brown counts her day planner as one of her friends and won't leave home without it.
“If I were to have a daughter, I'd want her to be like Rachel,” Falcons senior center fielder Jackie Nguyen said.
In the fall, Brown will be attending Harvard. The native San Diegan will experience four seasons for the first time, thanks not only to her softball talent but a 4.33 GPA.
“Academically, (Harvard) stands on its own, but on my recruiting trip it was beautiful and right near Boston,” Brown said. “I thought it would be interesting to have a complete change, with East Coast versus West Coast, and experience weather. I just love the atmosphere and I can see myself fitting in there.”
Brown will miss home, though. After all, Harvard might frown on turning a dorm hallway into a bullpen. |