By Andy Walter

CAMDEN — Stacey Deputy was only in t-ball when she first became a catcher.

“One of my coaches was like, ‘Hey, do you want to try catching?’” said Deputy. “I said, ‘Of course.’”

And, despite all the bumps and bruises that come with playing behind the plate, Deputy hasn’t regretted her decision since.

Now a senior at Caesar Rodney High, she’s had knee surgery and dealt with a fairly serious ankle injury during her high school athletic career, which also includes playing basketball for the Riders.

Still, a first-team All-State player at the position last spring, Deputy said she can’t imagine playing anywhere else but at catcher.

“I don’t think I’d love the game as much if I played any other position,” she said. “I like being involved in every play. It’s fun.

“I like being in control. I like having a good handle on the game.”

CR has won a lot of games with Deputy behind the plate.

The Riders take a 7-0 record into Tuesday’s noon home game against Middletown (6-1). Over the last two seasons, they’re 24-4.

Junior pitcher Peyton Shields has also been a big part of CR’s recent success. She and Deputy first met when they were no more than 10 on a travel team.

The two also teamed up at Postlethwait Middle School. Having that longstanding partnership makes a difference.

“I think that we both just feel more comfortable with each other,” said Shields. “She knows what my best pitches are and my worst ... and where I’ll mess up, if it’ll go in the dirt.

“She’s had many injuries actually and she’s still gotten better,” Shields said about Deputy.

“We definitely trust each other,” said Deputy. “I’ve got her back and she has mine.”

With seven returning starters, CR coach Skye Boris knew this had a chance to be a good team.

Besides Deputy, Shields was a second-team All-Stater. Also for the Riders, junior Kaitlyn Horton was a second-team all-Henlopen North utility player while sophomore Sydney Hatch made honorable mention all-North.

“I had a lot of confidence in this team going into the season,” said Boris. “Obviously, the end goal is to win a state championship. So we were a little bummed about not making it that far.

“But we were definitely confident and felt good about where we ended.”

After two DIAA state tournament wins, CR finished last season with a 2-0 loss to Delaware Military and its star pitcher, Graceyn Frost. There were only five hits in the contest.

The loss left the Riders feeling like they’re capable of doing more.

“They’re definitely hungry,” said Boris. “They want to go far.

“They’ve got a lot of grit. When we’re behind, they don’t give up. They keep going. They don’t want to lose. They find a way to get it done every time.”

“We have a lot of resiliency,” said Deputy. “We’re not scared of anybody. We know every time we walk on the field, we have a good chance of winning — as long as we play our game.”

Having a veteran catcher like Deputy is a pretty good foundation.

Deputy has been the Riders’ starting catcher since her freshman year. She’s headed for Georgia’s NCAA Division I Kennesaw State in the fall.

A year ago, Deputy hit .481 with three home runs and 15 RBI. Right now she’s hitting .456 with eight RBI and 10 runs scored.

As for the physical part of being a catcher, Deputy said she’s got to take care of herself physically. She ices her knees a lot and does a good deal of strength training in the off-season.

“Recovery is a huge thing,” said Deputy.

Boris knows she’s been fortunate to have Deputy to rely on. She can remember when Deputy was just a youngster coming to camps.

“Watching her grow up and mature and become a solid catcher back there has been really fun to watch,” said Boris. “And every year she just gets better and better. She does a great job commanding the field.

“I tell her all the time that you’re the quarterback of the team — ‘You see everything.’ ... She’s tough — not just physically but mentally. There’s not many things that bother her. And, if they do, she doesn’t show it. She’s very composed.”

Notes

Shields, who threw a five-inning no-hitter in a win at Seaford on Thursday, has a 0.969 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 43.1 innings. ... Deputy, Shields, Horton and Hatch are all tied for the team lead with 10 hits. ... After Tuesday’s game against Middletown, CR goes to Sussex Tech on Thursday for an 11 a.m. contest before traveling to Wilmington Charter on Saturday for a noon matchup.