Published: June 14, 2009 12:10 am         

Linton's Izzy Carpenter earns Mental Attitude Award

INDIANAPOLIS — There have probably been other athletes as tearful when receiving the Indiana High School Athletic Association’s Mental Attitude Award for softball as Linton’s Izzy Carpenter was Saturday.

There may never have been a more deserving winner, however.

The press release handed out by the IHSAA afterward listed the usual accomplishments for the winner of that award. In Carpenter’s case, an academic honors diploma, leading to a pre-optometry curriculum at Indiana University; nine varsity letters, including three seasons as team captain of softball (twice) and basketball; president of her class all four years; president of National Honor Society, Spanish Club and S.A.D.D.; plus church and community work.

“It’s an amazing award,” said coach Jill Flater of the Miners, who mentioned that Carpenter was an easy choice as Linton’s nominee. “She’s an exceptional person … an amazing girl.”

Most of the winners have that kind of resume, however. Few have made a decision like Carpenter did that in all likelihood brought her team within a run of a state championship.

Carpenter’s senior softball season at Linton began with her as its four-year starter, its leader (note the number of times she’d been elected president of something) — and its pitcher. Then the new girl moved in.

The pitching of Stephanie Fougerousse, who transferred from White River Valley, was the second most important factor in the Miners getting where they did. The most important was Carpenter stepping aside and letting her do that.

“At first it was [hard to give up pitching], and it was definitely different,” Carpenter admitted after Saturday’s championship game, “but first base was the right spot for me.

“Steph is an awesome pitcher, and I wanted to do what I could to help the team,” she admitted. “It couldn’t have come out any better.”

Neither could Saturday’s award.