Ingram Has Northwest Looking for Higher Aspirations

 Northwest High School softball player Nevaeh Ingram is averaging more than 10 strikeouts per game for the Mounties.  Photo by Jeff Steers, JTV Sports.

By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports

(May 21, 2021 1:16 PM) Northwest High School softball player Nevaeh Ingram will tell you that her mom named her Nevaeh because it is heaven backwards.

The pitcher is a Godsend for the Mounties … and a devil to opponents.

Ingram is leading the Mounties to a historic season, right now with a 25-2 record and ranked No. 1 in Division 2.

Ingram has more than 20 wins this season and is averaging 10 strikeouts per game. 

It is Ingram’s rise ball that has opponents baffled with an upward motion that starts the softball low to the ground and rises through the strike zone.

“I have always done that since I was young,” Ingram said. “I used to pitch long distances to my grandfather that caused me to pitch up.

“I guess I have corrected it.”

It does not appear as if there is any correction needed. Ingram is one of the most dominant pitchers in the state and will take her talents to Grand Valley State University next fall.

“They (GVSU) have been recruiting me for about one and a half years,” Ingram said. “I would like to study to be a speech language pathologist and GVSU has a great program.”

But there is still a lot of work for Ingram at Northwest. The Mounties are 25-2 with their only losses are to Hartland and Escanaba – the two-time defending state champions in Division 2. 

With a solid lineup, the Mounties are primed to make a run in the state tournament.

“I feel confident because I have a solid defense behind me,” Ingram said. “It is nice to look back and have confidence in every player on the field.”

Ingram is just as confident at the plate. She is one of the Mounties’ top hitters and bats in the second position.