Softball team suffers defeat
With 16 games, six wins and 10 losses, the varsity girls’ softball team has endured a rough start to the season. On April 12, following a 3-2 win over Capuchino, the Dons faced a 0-10 defeat against Hillsdale.
From the last few games, coach Bill Laskey said “Our biggest problems were errors; there were a lot of missed balls. Two games were lost because of errors, but we’re getting better.”
Having juggled positions, the team initially underwent an adjusting period. Laskey said, “Years past I had positions that were full. It’s always tough in the beginning, but we’re starting to jell together.”
Junior Kelly Black said, “We were defeated before the game started [knowing that] Hillsdale was a good team. We made a lot of mental errors that led to physical errors.”
The first inning started off with three consecutive strikeouts. Hillsdale’s pitcher quickly ended the first half of the first inning, allowing no hits or runs for the Dons. Hillsdale’s turn at bat during the first inning scored three runs for its team.
Like Hillsdale’s pitcher, junior Kelly Black threw an array of fast pitches. However, after a series of foul balls, Hillsdale’s first hit was an explosive triple. After a steal that led to Hillsdale’s first run scored, Hillsdale eventually had all bases loaded. Scoring twice more, Hillsdale ended the first inning at 3-0.
While at bat in the second and third innings, Aragon quickly struck out without scoring against Hillsdale’s medley of low pitches.
The lady Dons held Hillsdale from the second through the fourth innings with sophomore Stephanie Perez and freshman Nicole Horita catching fly balls. However, during the second inning, a missed grounder that led to a double reflected some nervous tension that would cause further mistakes.
Throughout the fourth inning, both teams did not score again, instead displaying an aggressive defense while each side was at field.
Though once again, a missed groundball led to a Hillsdale batter reaching base. Black quickly struck out Hillsdale’s fourth pitcher with ease, effectively ending the fourth inning with the score still at 0-3.
A combination of unyielding pitches and efficient defense by Hillsdale prevented Aragon from hitting in the fifth inning. After a series of pitches from Black, Hillsdale scored three times in the fifth inning.
Aragon’s sixth inning at bat fared approximately the same as its previous ones. Hillsdale pitched two strikeouts that were followed by an out at first base.
As Hillsdale took the bat at the top its half of the sixth inning, Junior Maureen Duddy replaced Black as pitcher. Actually a centerfielder and infielder, this was Duddy’s first experience as a pitcher for the Dons.
Though Duddy’s strikes were met with applause, Hillsdale took advantage of the new pitcher to score. After a steal to third base, Hillsdale had all bases loaded. Two walks and a double led to Hillsdale scoring thrice more in the inning, reaching a score of 10-0. Due to a mercy rule, the game then promptly ended as a loss for the Dons at the bottom of the sixth inning.
Overall, the Dons played a more conservative game at bat that was marred with several mistakes in the field; Hillsdale’s pitcher kept a variety of mixed throws to keep the Dons from hitting. Furthermore, several ground balls that could’ve been caught were let loose, allowing Hillsdale load bases more easily.
In regards to the game, junior Elena Bowman said, “I thought the communication was good [initially]. It is just rough when you make a couple errors; the communication fell apart.”
In spite of the loss against Hillsdale, the Dons still maintain a positive outlook toward future games and developing strategies. Laskey said, “I believe in every one of these girls that are playing are good players.”
Black said, “Forget [today’s] game. We’re going to bring the fire from Capuchino’s game from now on.”
