West Lafayette softball channels 'Happy Llama' to boost morale
WEST LAFAYETTE — West Lafayette senior catcher Emma Orr looked into the eyes of her fellow classmate Dani Rawles and saw doubt in her body language before the first pitch of the Hoosier Conference Championship.
Sophomore pitcher Izzy Ascarelli was slated to pitch against No. 2 ranked Class 3A Western before a left forearm soreness forced her to hand the ball off to Rawles, whose usual position was second base.
Uncontrollable anxiousness Rawles felt was smoothed away when Orr placed her hand in the air with her middle and ring finger touching her thumb and index and pinky finger pointed upwards.
The pair used the hand signal as the "Happy Llama," based on a children's song "Happy Llama Sad Llama" that can be viewed on YouTube.
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"Dani and I are funny individuals and we like to bring the spirit up," Orr said. "So when the pitcher needs extra support, they do the sad llama and so we go and be their happy llama for them."
Rawles channeled her happy llama and delivered her best pitching performance of her 4-year varsity career.
Rawles tossed five no-hit innings, struck out six with no walks and one earned run in a 3-0 loss to Western.
West Lafayette struggled defensively with Rawles having to pitch and Ascarelli forced to play left field to rest her arm. The Red Devils committed five errors which led to two unearned runs in the third and sixth inning.
"I'm very excited for Dani," West Lafayette coach Chauncey Fry said. "She's a very hard working kid. I'm really proud of Dani for staying in the game and working hard."
West Lafayette (14-7) struggled at the plate and managed three hits off Western senior pitcher Kylie Miller.
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"We've lost a lot of games by one run and we've been talked a lot about that timely hit and we've got to hope that comes during sectionals time," Fry said.
Rawles was smiling and talking with teammates after the loss, hoping her happy llama energy can rub off on the rest of her teammates.
"I know I personally did good so I know that other people who are feeling down themselves, I'm trying to pick them up," Rawles said. "Last game I was down on myself so I want to be that person who picks someone up after a loss."
Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at ehanson@gannett.com, on Twitter at EthanAHansonand Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Happy Llama becomes energy symbol for West Lafayette softball
