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MAR.
24 — Leafs Lose Momentum, Pair To St. Francis
Tough
1-4 loss in Game One sets stage for 0-9 defeat in closer
for Goshen |
Goshen, IN — Thursday afternoon’s
sunshine and relative warmth was a welcome site at the Goshen College
Softball Complex, as the Leafs faced off against Mid-Central Conference
rival University of St. Francis in just its second day of competition
this season.
Even the beautiful conditions couldn’t erase Goshen’s
heartache after the first game, however.
After leading the Cougars by a 1-0 score through five innings,
St. Francis used a well-timed pair of hits to drive in the tying
run in the top of the sixth. Despite a tremendous pitching effort
by senior Rachel Solmos, the Cougars were able to add an extra
three runs in the seventh inning, ruining the Leafs chances of
grabbing their first win of the season in a 1-4 defeat. Goshen
(0-3, 0-3) wasn’t able to regroup after that tough-to-swallow
episode, and lost the second contest by a 0-9 score.
“Overall, we are getting better,” said Marc Green,
Goshen head coach. “With no spring trip this season, it is
taking our team a little while to get used to live pitching and
being
outside. But we are making improvements, game by game and inning
by inning.”
It was Solmos (0-1) who carried the Leafs from the pitching circle
in Game 1, giving up just one hit in the first five innings of
play. Goshen was able to score the game’s first run in the
bottom of the third inning, when a lead off single by freshman
Erin Layman started things off. After moving to second on a groundout
by freshman Faith Borrell, Layman was drove in by senior Tara Haynes’ smash
hit to right center field.
Unfortunately, the Leafs could not hold on. The Cougars used a
pair of well-placed hits in the top of the sixth inning — the
game-tying run came with two outs collected — and then got
things going in the seventh. Goshen could not advance a runner
in the bottom of the final stanza, and the 4-1 score was finalized.
“We played better defense and we hit the ball much better
than in our season opener, but we just couldn’t keep it going
quite long enough,” Green said. “Rachel pitched great
in giving up only six hits and just one in the first five innings.”
Trying to regroup after such a bitter loss is never easy, and St.
Francis made it an even tougher task in belting out four home runs
in the second contest, helping the team cruise to its 9-0 win.
Freshman Tera Brackman (0-2) was saddled with the pitching loss,
while Hanyes, Layman and sophomore Stacie Scott all led the Leafs
from the plate with 1-3 performances.
“It was a tough game as not only did St. Francis come out
swinging, but they played great defense as well,” Green said. “They
made a couple of outstanding plays in the outfield, including a
smashing-into-the-fence robbery of an extra-base hit by Rachel
Solmos and another great catch robbing Erin Layman of a hit as
well. They played extremely well, and were deserving of the win.”
Goshen will take the Easter weekend to return to the practice field
before hosting perennial MCC powerhouse Indiana Wesleyan University
on Tuesday. Game time for Game 1 is set for 3 p.m.
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Game 1 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
R |
H |
E |
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USF |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
6 |
1 |
|
Goshen |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
5 |
1 |
|
Game 2 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
R |
H |
E |
|
USF |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
9 |
8 |
0 |
|
Goshen |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
|
  Senior
Rachel Solmos
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