SALEM, N.H. – Bailey Ruel’s first high school complete game came at the perfect time for Salem.
The Blue Devil junior, who started the regular season with a frustrating injury, showed just how far she’s progressed, slaying Spaulding, 5-1, in the Division I tourney opener on Wednesday afternoon.
“I’m really excited. This was a really good win, a complete team effort,” said Ruel, the right-hander who struck out six and walked two in the five-hitter.
“I’m 100 percent over my (elbow) injury. I got over my pitch count, and I’m back all the way. It was pretty tough to overcome, seeing that it happened right at the beginning of the season when we were about to start playing again.”
Ruel and Salem, with the win, earned a Saturday (4 p.m.) trip to Hampton Beach for the DI quarterfinal showdown with No. 2 seed Winnacunnet.
After missing roughly the first half of the season, Ruel has been working hard to regain her form and her health as she eases back into the fray.
“She’s been working really hard to get herself back healthy. She’s been working like crazy to get herself here to this level,” said Blue Devils’ coach Haley Chandler.
“I’m really proud of her. She threw incredible. She’s been getting there. She rises to occasions. I have confidence in her. But her throwing a full game was not expected. She was mowing them down, and her drop was working well. She was awesome.”
Ruel had shown flashes. She worked five shutout innings last week against defending state champion Concord, a sign that she was ready to go.
“This is something you work for. Getting to pitch in the playoffs is something you earn. I’m glad I got the opportunity. I’m very grateful,” said Ruel.
In her absence, classmate Jaelyn Boretti and freshman Michaela Dailey held the opposition at bay quite nicely.
“They’re exceptional pitchers. They stepped up. I’m proud of them for that. They did a great job,” said Ruel.
The luxury of having three effective arms, especially in a playoff atmosphere, is not lost on Chandler.
“Our pitching staff is really cool. I’ve never had three completely capable pitchers before on staff. I learned all season how to use them best,” said Chandler. “(Ruel) has plenty of backup for sure.”
And the smile on her face said it all after Wednesday’s win.
“I’m really happy to be back. First, my love for the game (kept me going),” said Ruel. “I’ve played here in Salem since I was four years old, and I have a great set of teammates here. They kept me in it, made sure I kept going to practices. Even though I was injured, I was still a part of this team.”