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SILVER LAKE — Kendra Cook gave Silver Lake fans an afternoon to remember on Monday. The senior pitcher opened the school’s brand-new softball and baseball fields in style.
Cook delivered a no-hitter in the first-ever game on Silver Lake’s softball diamond, defeated rival Rossville 10-0. She struck out 10 batters and walked just two players. Her offense dominated, too.
“I got the job done and I had my defense behind me and my offense behind me,” Cook said. “We’ve got a bunch of fans out here and it’s always a good experience playing Rossville.”
High school sports: Here are the top Topeka-area performances from March 31-April 5
The new complex, which broke ground last year, featured a ribbon cutting and celebration of Silver Lake athletics. The project cost an estimated $4 million according to USD 372 school board president Jason Seele.
The funds came from a $16 million bond issue in 2023. Along with the fields, the project will see a new weight room and a new throwing ring for the track and field programs.
“Our programs have built a legacy of hard work, discipline and success, earning championships, developing outstanding student-athletes and instilling values that last far beyond the playing field,” Seele said during the ribbon cutting. “This new facility is not just a place to play. It is a testament to that legacy and a promise to that future.”
Silver Lake athletic director David Schooler wanted the entire community to be involved in Monday’s celebration. The 1 p.m. first pitch was a way for all of the school's students to come out and watch the high schoolers battle their rivals.
“We love having the kids out here for the game and we think it creates a pretty awesome atmosphere when some of the grade school kids get to come out and be a part of the atmosphere,” Schooler said.
Athlete of the Week: Vote for the Topeka-area's high school Athlete of the Week for March 31-April 5
While Cook was on fire in the opener, Paige Heiman hit a solo home run marking the first blast in complex history in the second game. The Eagles earned the sweep winning 5-2 in the doubleheader.
On the baseball diamond, Silver Lake took down Rossville 3-0 in the opening game. Cooper Campidilli came away with the first RBI on the new field as he brought home Dysen Schooler in the first inning.
“That feels pretty cool, it was a fastball down the middle and I just took it up the middle,” Campidilli said with a smile. “It’s a really nice complex. I’ll miss the old one, but it’s really nice to have a new one.”
Logan Cathcart put together a strong performance pitching a complete game allowing just two hits and striking out three batters in Silver Lake’s win.
The Bulldawgs would spoil the party in the second game. Rossville came away with a 6-5 win in 10 innings. Brock Bush scored the winning run on a wild pitch after reaching base on a single.
The afternoon was perfect for baseball and softball fans. The newly constructed fields by Meriden’s Mammoth Sports Construction have created a sports heaven to the east of the former dirt fields.
This will be the place to play games in Class 3A and around the Big East League for years to come. This year, the baseball diamond will host the regional tournament with qualifying for the state tournament on the line. According to Schooler, hosting postseason events is going to be the norm for Silver Lake.
“This turf field is really good and I’m really thankful to Mammoth and our school for providing this for us,” Cook said. “I think this is really awesome that we are so fortunate to have this. It’s really fun to play on it.”
Liam Keating covers high school sports for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Silver lake baseball and softball reveal new playing fields in style
Continue reading...
Cook delivered a no-hitter in the first-ever game on Silver Lake’s softball diamond, defeated rival Rossville 10-0. She struck out 10 batters and walked just two players. Her offense dominated, too.
“I got the job done and I had my defense behind me and my offense behind me,” Cook said. “We’ve got a bunch of fans out here and it’s always a good experience playing Rossville.”
High school sports: Here are the top Topeka-area performances from March 31-April 5
The new complex, which broke ground last year, featured a ribbon cutting and celebration of Silver Lake athletics. The project cost an estimated $4 million according to USD 372 school board president Jason Seele.
The funds came from a $16 million bond issue in 2023. Along with the fields, the project will see a new weight room and a new throwing ring for the track and field programs.
“Our programs have built a legacy of hard work, discipline and success, earning championships, developing outstanding student-athletes and instilling values that last far beyond the playing field,” Seele said during the ribbon cutting. “This new facility is not just a place to play. It is a testament to that legacy and a promise to that future.”
Silver Lake athletic director David Schooler wanted the entire community to be involved in Monday’s celebration. The 1 p.m. first pitch was a way for all of the school's students to come out and watch the high schoolers battle their rivals.
“We love having the kids out here for the game and we think it creates a pretty awesome atmosphere when some of the grade school kids get to come out and be a part of the atmosphere,” Schooler said.
Athlete of the Week: Vote for the Topeka-area's high school Athlete of the Week for March 31-April 5
While Cook was on fire in the opener, Paige Heiman hit a solo home run marking the first blast in complex history in the second game. The Eagles earned the sweep winning 5-2 in the doubleheader.
On the baseball diamond, Silver Lake took down Rossville 3-0 in the opening game. Cooper Campidilli came away with the first RBI on the new field as he brought home Dysen Schooler in the first inning.
“That feels pretty cool, it was a fastball down the middle and I just took it up the middle,” Campidilli said with a smile. “It’s a really nice complex. I’ll miss the old one, but it’s really nice to have a new one.”
Logan Cathcart put together a strong performance pitching a complete game allowing just two hits and striking out three batters in Silver Lake’s win.
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The Bulldawgs would spoil the party in the second game. Rossville came away with a 6-5 win in 10 innings. Brock Bush scored the winning run on a wild pitch after reaching base on a single.
The afternoon was perfect for baseball and softball fans. The newly constructed fields by Meriden’s Mammoth Sports Construction have created a sports heaven to the east of the former dirt fields.
This will be the place to play games in Class 3A and around the Big East League for years to come. This year, the baseball diamond will host the regional tournament with qualifying for the state tournament on the line. According to Schooler, hosting postseason events is going to be the norm for Silver Lake.
“This turf field is really good and I’m really thankful to Mammoth and our school for providing this for us,” Cook said. “I think this is really awesome that we are so fortunate to have this. It’s really fun to play on it.”
Liam Keating covers high school sports for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Silver lake baseball and softball reveal new playing fields in style
Continue reading...
