As Iola High’s leadoff batter, junior Elza Clift has made it a point to try to get on base any way she can.
She started off Tuesday’s doubleheader against Anderson County intent on reaching base with a bunt.
When she couldn’t connect on the first two pitches, she suddenly found herself saddled with two strikes.
In retrospect, the Bulldog pitcher had probably wished Clift had been successful with her third bunt attempt.
Forced to swing away, Clift connected on the third pitch, sending the ball over the right field fence.
“That was pretty exciting,” she said afterward. “It was my first ever home run.”
Over the course of Iola’s doubleheader sweep, Clift wound up throwing a one-hit, 14-strikeout gem in the opener, and then shut down Anderson County’s bats over the final two innings of the nightcap, striking out two more to collect the save. At the plate, Clift tacked on a pair of doubles and a single.
“It got a little nervewracking at the end, but it was fun to get the wins,” said Clift.
The night also demonstrated why Register readers voted her as the Female Athlete of the Month.
CLIFT is a multi-sport standout, but one with a definite favorite — softball.
“It’s the one I’ve worked the most at,” she said. “This year, it’s starting to feel like the work has paid off.”
Mustang head coach Chris Weide approached Clift in the offseason, telling her she was going to be Iola’s leadoff hitter, setting the table for a young, talented and steadily improving lineup.
“I got a little scared,” she admitted, but not for long.
Clift, who batted second in the lineup last year as a sophomore, has fit in quite well as the table setter. She is hitting a lofty .350 and is tied for the team lead with 17 runs scored through 12 games. She is second on the team with 14 hits.
Her growing offensive repertoire has given Weide pause on how often he thinks Clift should attempt to bunt.
