Spring Arbor, MI — Facing the
second-ranked team at the NCCAA level Monday afternoon, Goshen
head coach Marc Green knew his squad would have to play to the
top of its capability to hang with the 34-12 Spring Arbor University
Cougars. And, while the Leafs did drop a pair of games to the host
team, they did compete at a high level, dropping the contests by
1-4 and 1-3 scores.
“Spring Arbor is a very good team, and we knew we would have
to hit the ball well to have a chance,” Green said. “We
couldn’t quite get things going offensively, and they just
had too much in the tank.”
Goshen (3-20, 1-13) kept things close throughout the afternoon,
as senior Rachel Solmos (3-9) appeared to be in control to start
the day in the pitching circle for the Leafs. After a scoreless
first inning, Solmos allowed just a single run in the bottom of
the second and third innings. Goshen’s defense was also reasonable,
as the Leafs held eight Cougar hits to just four runs. The Leafs
had a rough time generating much offense, however, as four hits
equaled a lone score in the fourth inning. Solmos knocked in sophomore
Stacie Scott in that inning, who reached base on a double. Solmos
finished 2-3 from the plate in the loss.
In the afternoon’s second game, again Goshen kept things
close, but couldn’t get runs across the plate for insurance.
Spring Arbor used that lack of efficiency to take a three-run second
inning to the dugout, and it proved to be all the Cougars would
need. Save for the Leafs’ single run in the third, Goshen
was blanked despite out-hitting Spring Arbor by a six to four margin.
Senior Alissa Kostyk knocked in the only score in the contest,
while senior Megan Morris finished 1-2 while scoring Goshen’s
run. Freshman Tera Brackman (0-7) took the pitching loss, but was
one of Goshen’s most prolific batters, finishing 2-3 from
the plate.
“We’ve got to get a little more confident at swinging
the bat with runners in scoring position,” Green said. “We
are improving each day. We just need to keep working at it.”
Goshen will return to its friendly confines Thursday afternoon,
when the team will host Taylor University in Mid-Central Conference
action. First game of the double-header is slated to begin at 3
p.m.
|
Game 1 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
R |
H |
E |
|
Goshen |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
|
SAU |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
- |
4 |
8 |
1 |
|
Game 2 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
R |
H |
E |
|
Goshen |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
2 |
|
SAU |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
- |
3 |
4 |
2 |
|
  Head
coach Marc Green and Freshman Tera Brackman
|
|
|
|
