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CALDWELL — Softball games in Caldwell have taken on a "winner-winner, pizza dinner" atmosphere this spring thanks to Sam's Pizzeria. The community minded business has turned every Caldwell home run hit into a community celebration, rewarding the team's power hitters with a free pizza for every trip around the bases.
In a clever Facebook post that quickly gained traction with the local faithful, Sam's Pizzeria coined the phrase "Dingers for Dough." The promotion is the brainchild of owners Jensen Croucher and Alex Secrest, both Caldwell graduates who wanted to find a unique way to support their alma mater.
"With both of us being Caldwell grads, we love any chance to give back at the school," the owners shared. "I've coached two sports over the last 10 years at Caldwell, and now owning a business gives us a chance to support in a different way."
A historic power surge
Sam's has been incredibly busy to start the season, thanks to an impressive display of power from the Caldwell softball team lineup from top to bottom. Through 12 games, Caldwell hitters have mashed an eye-topping 16 home runs. To put that in perspective, Caldwell is currently averaging 1.33 home runs per game. In high school softball, where small-ball often dominates, this level of power is a rare feat, that puts the Caldwell sluggers among the elite offensive lineups in the state.
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Perhaps most impressive is the depth of the lineup. This isn't a case of one superstar carrying the load: the "pizza bill" is being split across the entire dugout. A total of seven different players have already "gone yard" this spring for Caldwell. Leading the way is sophomore slugger Cecelia Marshall with four home runs, followed by freshman Mea Hendershot and senior ace hurler Makayla Mumaw with three each.
Junior Breighlee Moracco and sophomore Cami Arick have each cleared the fence twice, while junior Mattie Hesson and senior Colie Arick have added one apiece to the tally.
"We wouldn't mind seeing a couple bunts instead of swing for the fences," Croucher joked regarding the mounting pizza orders. "But in all seriousness, it's just awesome to see our girls crushing it. We hope they keep it up and hit even more. Above everything else, we love seeing winning softball."
Warming up the standings
Caldwell's power surge is doing more than just filling pizza boxes at Sam's, it's filling up the win column as well for the local softball squad. Caldwell has raced out to a dominate 10-2 start, and the "Dingers for Dough" incentive is providing a unique spark in the dugout.
"I think the Sam's pizza promotion gets everyone going because who wouldn't want a free pizza?" said Moracco. "When someone hits a home run we are pumped either way, but getting a free pizza takes it to an even higher level."
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For Hendershot, the depth of the lineup provides a sense of security. "Whenever we are trailing in a game, there is full confidence in the dugout that someone is going to hit one out and get us going." she noted.
This confidence translates into a bit of fun once the ball clears the fence. For team leader Marshall, the focus shifts as she circles the diamond.
"As I'm rounding second, I'm thinking about the score and how it is affecting our team," Marshall said. "But once I get to third, I am focused on the toppings I will be getting on my pizza! Once I reach home plate, I'm thinking about the pizza party with my teammates after the game."
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Community support
The impact of a new local business backing the team hasn't gone unnoticed by the veteran Caldwell players. "Knowing that there is a possibility of earning a pizza after a home run pushes people on the team to do the best they can in the batters box," said senior Colie Arick.
The historic pace suggests that the Caldwell sluggers are on track to surpass 30 home runs if they maintain this production through a deep OHSAA postseason run. With the sheer diversity of the Caldwell attack — having seven different players with at least one home run — makes it nearly impossible to "pitch around" a single hitter. With nearly half of those 16 home runs coming from underclassmen, the "Caldwell Power Company" appears poised to stay open for business for years to come.
As the season moves into the back half, the formula in Caldwell remains simple: keep swinging for the fences, and keep the pepperoni ready. Because the Caldwell softball team plans to serve up a championship run one slice at a time.
[email protected]; X: @KSuttonDJSports; Instagram: kevinsutton_dailyjeffsports
This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Sam's Pizzeria partnership hits home with Caldwell softball team
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