Back from injury, Clark makes impact

WHITE HALL — Sydnee Clark thought the White Hall softball team had its best shot at a state title last year.

But then she broke her ankle midway through the season after sliding awkwardly into a base and her season was done.

“It was really hard because I thought last year was probably our best chance at state,” she said. “But we did what we could.”

Even though White Hall coach Terri Smith said the team took the loss of one of its best players hard, the Lady Bulldogs were able to pull together and still made the state tournament. White Hall lost to Alma in the quarterfinals.

“It was really hard when she got injured,” Smith said. “The girls were devastated, but they picked up the pieces. They did an excellent job of picking up and filling the gaps.”

Clark, now a junior, is back this year and has already thrown two no-hitters this season. She has helped White Hall (15-2, 6-0 5A-Southeast) to the top of the conference and another shot at making the state tournament.

“I think we are going to make it to state and do really good this year,” she said. “I just didn’t know how that team was going to look starting out, but I think we have just as big of a chance to win state as last year.”

Clark had a long road of recovery back, though. She had screws and wires put in her ankle as it healed. The screws and wires were all later taken out.

Clark was also on crutches from last April until August, even though she tried to convince her doctor to let her leave the crutches behind earlier.

“It was tough sitting out and just watching and not being able to do anything, which was the worst part,” she said. “I told my doctor I was doing all of the exercises, but he kept saying I had to stay on the crutches.”

After Clark was allowed to run the bases again, it took a little bit of time before she felt fully comfortable again.

“It was probably about a month afterward after I had done it a couple of times that I knew my ankle is not going to just fall apart on me,” she said. “My ankle feels great and it feels normal.”

However, Smith still has a rule when Clark runs the bases due to how she broke her ankle.

“She is not to slide,” Smith said. “If she is pitching, she usually doesn’t get to run. That is just precautionary.”

Last year, Smith told Clark the game before she broke her ankle that she was waiting to long before sliding into the base.

“She said ‘I know, I’m working on that,’” Smith said. “Then the next game she slide and that’s what happened.”

Smith has no restrictions for Clark on the mound.

“You can’t underestimate the teams because even the worst of teams always are going to have one or two plays,” she said. “But I try and go out there with that attitude. I don’t think I am going to throw a no-hitter, but I aim for it.”

Smith never doubted Clark would come back to have a strong year and help lead the team back to where it ended last year.

“I knew she would be okay because she just drives herself and pushes herself,” she said. “We held our own at state and that’s our goal this year. We are shooting for the stars this time.”