Fischer’s limitless amount of energy provides QND softball team with injection of life

QUINCY — Eryn Cornwell’s focus and concentration when she’s in the pitcher’s circle often robs her of the chance to appreciate Lindsey Fischer’s exuberance.

Playing third base provides Cornwell an entirely different view of the show.

“I kind of like playing third because I can sit there and watch Lindsey do her thing,” Cornwell said. “It’s so funny. I love it.”

Fischer, the Quincy Notre Dame softball team’s senior catcher, exudes limitless emotion and is one of the most charismatic backstops around. She bounces out from behind the plate after a strikeout or a big play, pumping her fists and hollering to the point it raises everyone’s energy instantaneously.

“It’s really great having someone like her behind the plate,” Cornwell said. “She’s always pumping us up. Whether we’re doing good or whether we’re doing bad, she’s always bringing energy and enthusiasm.”

It’s the only way Fischer has ever wanted to play.

“I watched college softball since I was a little girl, and ever since I saw those catchers jump up and shake their pitcher’s hand or chest-bump their pitcher, I’ve wanted to do that,” Fischer said. “If Eryn gets a good strikeout or (Caitlin) Bunte puts somebody down, I’m right there for them.”

Her leadership behind the plate will be as vital as her energy this postseason.

The top-seeded Raiders (22-8) open play in the Class 2A Petersburg PORTA Regional against eighth-seeded Beardstown at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. The winner plays for the regional title at 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Fischer handles QND’s pitching staff with experience, which enables Cornwell and Bunte to have confidence they can throw any pitch in any situation.

Cornwell has gone 15-4 with a 2.95 ERA over 109 innings. She has struck out 108 and walked 35. Bunte didn’t step into the circle until two weeks ago, but the freshman left-hander has gone 2-0 in four starts with a 1.58 ERA over 26 ⅔ innings. She has 21 strikeouts against two walks.

“The way she plays shows she is here for us no matter what,” Cornwell said. “She’s going to have our back whether it’s a good day or a bad day. There’s nothing we can do that’s going to make her not have our back.”

Fischer takes pride in being a backstop who has thrown out nine would-be base stealers this season and is willing to be physical on plays at the plate.

“Being able to see everything and being able to touch the ball every play, that’s something that I just love,” said Fischer, who is second on the team with three home runs and 24 RBIs while hitting .282. “It’s hard mentally and physically. But the thing about it is, if you mess up during an at-bat, you have catching to do. You have a job to do. You can’t forget about that.”

This year, that job was extended to helping a young team mature. 

“I’ve gotten closer with the underclassmen,” said Fischer, who has showcased patience at the plate with a team-leading 20 walks. “Being able to get closer with the underclassmen really makes me feel like a leader on the field and off the field. We hang out outside of softball, which has helped this team a lot.”

Her love for softball is a blueprint to follow.

“I’m pretty energetic,” Fischer said. “In practice, I’m joking around all the time.”

That fun-loving nature will fit well at Quincy University, where she has signed to play next year.

“QU athletics has a great history,” Fischer said. “So to be involved there is special. (QND coach Eric) Orne went there. His wife (Tracy Orne) was a pitcher there. So being able to have people there in your corner is great. Plus, it’s the GLVC. That’s great softball.”

Before she entertains catching against top NCAA Division II level, she has some business to finish at QND. Namely, that’s helping the Raiders get a rematch with Buffalo Tri-City in the sectionals and propelling them to a run at a state berth.

All it takes is the kind of energy and enthusiasm Fischer seems have in unlimited supply.

“We need that energy up and down our lineup,” Orne said.