REDFIELD – Some athletes are rewarded for their performances by getting medals, or trophies or even scholarships. Elijah Morrissette got his own day.

The Redfield senior was honored for throwing a perfect game in baseball earlier this spring in which he struck out every batter he faced during the four-inning contest. It was an award in the form of a proclamation declaring April 13, 2024, as Elijah Morrissette Day.

Redfield catcher Kevin Weller pitched the idea to city hall officials, who made the presentation during one of Morrissette’s classes.

“I was pretty surprised by it. They surprised me in my government class,” Morrissette said. “I had my family, the city council, and the mayor all in there and they presented it in front of my class. I was speechless. I didn’t know what to say.”

It was Morrissette who silenced the bats of the Hamlin lineup in that memorable pitching performance in Redfield’s first game of the high school season.

“I didn’t expect to have that my first game out, the first game of the season. I noticed it about the third inning,” Morrissette said of what was happening. “I noticed I got all the way through and no one had put it in play, yet, and they hadn’t even gotten a foul ball close.”

As the game wore on, Morrissette definitely began thinking about his perfect game, but didn’t really realize what had happened until Redfield ended the game on a 15-run rule in the bottom of the fourth inning.

“I was just trying to keep my head right. I knew I could get through the next couple batters,” Morrissette said. “The bottom of the fourth came, we scored those next couple of runs and it kind of hit me, yeah, I just struck everybody out that came up to the plate.”

Morrissette said his fastball did the bulk of the damage in that game, and while he overcame a pair of three ball-no strike counts, it wasn’t until his second time through the order that he had to make an adjustment on a Hamlin batter.

“He hooked one foul right away and I started thinking a little bit,” Morrissette said. “Now I can’t give him the fastball anymore. I’ve got to try to toy with him a little bit.”

Morrissette is no stranger to throwing things. He competes in the shot put and discus in track and field, and is currently among those who would qualify for the state meet in the shot put.

He said he enjoys both of his spring sports.

“I can’t pick a favorite. When I’m at track, I like track a lot. When I’m at baseball, I focus on baseball. It’s just where I’m at it,” Morrissette said. “I love going to track meets and I love having baseball games, and I love practices for baseball and track. I get to enjoy myself. I get to do what I love to do.”

Interestingly enough, it’s an entirely different sport that Morrissette will be playing in college. He is headed to Jamestown University to play football for the Jimmies. And he has big plans after that.

Morrissette is going to fulfill a lifelong dream of becoming a lawyer by attending Law School at the University of South Dakota.

“I don’t know what it was,” Morrissette said of what drew him to the field. “Ever since fourth grade I’ve wanted to be a lawyer and it’s never changed.”

For the time being, Morrissette can be found laying down the law for his younger baseball teammates this spring. The Muskrats have a squad filled with youth and Morrissette wants to make sure the younger players know the importance of hard work.

“I’m really taking on that leadership role. It’s a spot that I really thrive in, I believe. I’m always talking and feel that when we’re in practice, I’m always trying to get on guys,” Morrissette said. “We have to give our best effort and with these young guys sometimes they fail to give all their effort. If I have to get on them to do that, I’m not going to hold back. I’m going to let them know that they need to pick it up.”

Whether Morrissette is playing baseball or competing in track and field, he is always thinking about how to enhance his situation.

He said there is a big difference between being a pitcher and playing catcher, which he often does.

“I think when I’m pitching I try to think a little less. I know in the back of my head what I’m going to be pitching here, where to spot the ball against certain guys,” Morrissette said. “When I’m catching, I’m always thinking. I’m looking at the batter, who’s on base, what kind of speed they’ve got, who’s behind me for an umpire, and know what kind of zone that they have. I really like the mental aspect of pitching and catching together.”

Then there is the mental approach to throwing the shot put and discus, where he tries to slow down his thinking a bit.

“I think it’s definitely a big mental thing for me. I know I’ve got the strength and the will to do all these things, but it’s just keeping my form,” Morrissette said. “Sometimes I get myself, especially in the discus ring, I think too much, and my mind starts racing. I’ve got to try and calm down. I’m thinking of all the stuff I’ve got to remember like my technique and all that. I just have to calm down and throw.”

Morrissette is the senior class president and is involved in various clubs, in addition to particpating in football, basketball, baseball, and track and field.

“I like being involved in my school,” Morrissette said. “I don’t get much free time with it, but I’ve got all my life for free time. I’m only going to high school once.”

And whether playing on a winning team, a losing squad, or even having his own day, Morrissette realizes that his sports journey is preparing him for even bigger things ahead.

“That’s kind of how I’m starting to look at it, too,” Morrissette said. “Just look at it as a plus, not the wins and losses, but the experience I’m getting out of it.”