Vol. 71, no. 18
Softball catches no breaks on road trip to Tacoma
The Pioneers dropped all four games on a weekend road trip to Tacoma, losing twice to Puget Sound on Saturday and twice to Pacific Lutheran on Sunday. The losses move their record to 1-10 overall and 0-4 in conference.
Despite struggling in the win column, the Pios displayed improved play last weekend, losing a close game in two of the four contests. “The close games from this weekend are frustrating because I felt like we had it but it just slipped away when we didn’t string together hits or made a few poor decisions defensively,” said third baseman Laura Parker (’09). “Hopefully we’ll get to the point where we can feel the pressure in a close game and we’ll be the ones who are able to capitalize under that pressure instead of the other way around.”
Against Puget Sound the Pios lost the first game 2-0 and fell in the second one 11-3. In game one Janet Freerks (’07) and Roxanne Rittmaster (’07) combined on an impressive pitching performance limiting the Loggers to only five hits. The Loggers did not even get on the board until scoring both their runs in the fifth inning.
Cristy Hatton (’09) had a big day at the plate going 4-6 over the two games. Jessica Mullins (’10) hit the first home run of the year for the Pios in the second game, a blast that easily cleared the fence.
On Sunday the Pios lost game one 10-2 and were narrowly defeated in game two 3-2. Mullins gave the Pios their lone highlight in game one, delivering her second home run in as many games. The final game of the weekend proved to be a heartbreaker as the game was tied going into the sixth inning. After falling behind 2-0, the Pios plated runs in the fourth and fifth powered by a Freerks double and a pair of hits from Megan Aucutt (’10). Aucutt also pitched the entire game for the Pios giving up only six hits and three earned runs.
The success of young players such as Aucutt, Hatton and Mullins is a good sign for the Pios’ future. “Young players having success is great because it means that we won’t have to worry about rebuilding as much. Having a young team is also nice off the field because we’re all going to be here for a while and we’re already developing fun memories,” said Parker. “And for everyone on the team, young and old, it’s really fun to see people go from being rusty to rocking the ball.”
The Pios have developed close team chemistry, with only 13 players on the roster. “Having a small roster allows everyone to get game opportunities which helps us because then we know anyone can play in the field,” said Parker.
The team is also carried by its senior class. Rittmaster and Freerks form the core of the pitching staff along with Aucutt. Emily Strawn (’07) provides a stalwart in center field and a key spot in the line-up as a lefty slapper. Liz Murrieta (’07) rounds out the class as a veteran catcher and go-to hitter. The Pios will have to rely on heavy recruiting to replace these key players next yeat.
For now, the Pios have a tight-knit, small, well-rounded team. They will host Pacific in a double header on Sunday beginning at noon.