Softball earns first wins on Monday
The Waynesburg University softball team looked to bounce back on Monday after losing its first two games of the season on Sunday in Clermont, Florida.
“I think that first day jitters and having a large group of freshman, along with upperclassmen made yesterday what it was,” said Waynesburg head coach Richele Hall. “People were anxious and kind of just needed to get the excitement out and then play.”
The Jackets first chance to play was against Emerson College. The game had a 3 p.m. start time, but was delayed. After the delay Waynesburg was able to score a run in the first inning. The lead didn’t last and Emerson tied it in the bottom of the first.
The Jackets were then able to use the run game to regain the lead. Senior Jessica Dorazio and freshman Cat Allstatt each contributed steals to the Jackets grabbing the lead again, 2-1 after four innings.
Waynesburg then added three more runs to the tally in the sixth inning. Senior Katey Potopenko and junior Mackenzie Smith chipping in RBIs. Emerson scored a run in the sixth to get the deficit to 5-2.
The lead held up after a scoreless seventh inning and the win went to Waynesburg by a 5-2 score. This gave Waynesburg softball its first victory of the year. Allstatt picked up her first career win going seven innings and allowing two runs on two hits while striking out five. Kodie Cash was the losing pitcher for Emerson.
The second game was against Wesleyan. The game was scheduled for 7 p.m. Yet like game one, it was delayed. Also like in game one, the Jackets were able to take a first inning lead. Waynesburg plated two runs to take the 2-0 advantage after one.
Waynesburg would add another pair of runs in the third inning to extend the lead to 4-0. The four-run lead would stand and Waynesburg would pick up its second win of the day 4-0 over the Wolves.
Waynesburg pitching kept Wesleyan off the scoreboard. Freshman pitcher Courtney Messenger only allowed two hits all game and struck out four batters in the shutout victory. The loss would was given to Nicole Wilson after her 5.1 innings pitched while allowing four runs on six hits and striking out one.
The Waynesburg offense was led by Potopenko, who contributed a hit and an RBI. Junior Demi Lewin and Allstatt also chipped in RBIs and Ashley Demarco had a hit. The win puts Waynesburg at 2-2 overall.
Hall was pleased with her team’s results after yesterday’s losses.
“I changed the lineup a little bit so I didn’t have so much power stacked and it worked out well because we didn’t need big hits at times,” said Hall. “I think that approach worked. Planning wise it didn’t changed, but execution was better and was there today.”
Waynesburg’s young starting pitchers look to be the team’s greatest asset moving forward.
“I was definitely looking for success from them and we knew it from the preseason,” said Hall. “I had high expectations and they proved that today, they pitched their game.”
Hitting wasn’t the strongest facet of the Jackets game so far.
“We just need to keep doing what we’re doing, we have had solid contact and base runners, but the girls need to see live reps and work hard, work the pitchers and counts,” said Hall. “They need to take advantage of the counts in their favor and good pitchers. Our aggressiveness has been good, but need to be more aggressive, contribute what we’re doing, add more aggressiveness and keep plugging away.”
Waynesburg returns to the field today, March 8. The first matchup is against Northwestern-St. Paul at 1 p.m. The second is a 3 p.m. tilt with Wesley College.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
Waynesburg | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
Emerson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
WP: C. Allstatt 1-0
LP: K.Cash 0-1
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
Wesleyan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
Waynesburg | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | 4 | 6 | 1 |
WP: C.Messenger 1-0, 7 IP, 0 runs, 2 hits
LP: N. Wilson 0-1, 5.1 IP, 4 runs, 6 hits, 1 K