(Game 1 Stats) (Game 2 Stats) Huntington, IN — It may have been under bizarre circumstances, but Goshen head coach Linda Bontrager wasn’t complaining following a needed split decision with Mid-Central Conference foe Huntington University — an outcome that spanned a total three days to achieve.
Goshen (5-16, 2-10) traveled to Huntington Saturday afternoon to complete a run-of-the-mill MCC double-header, but significant snow showers interrupted the first contest, suspending play until Monday afternoon. With the sun shining 48 hours after the first pitch had been thrown, the Leafs had to settle for a 2-8 defeat in an adjunct Game 1, but responded with a big, 9-6 win in the second contest.
The latter decision perhaps propelled Goshen into the MCC Tournament, as the squad’s current 2-10 league record now stands above that of Grace College (1-11), a team that split with Goshen back on Mar. 20 (click here for related article).
“This wasn’t a normal conference double-header, but getting another conference win felt great,” Bontrager said following Monday’s conclusion. “Hopefully this will solidify our being able to qualify for the conference tournament. We’re really looking forward to that opportunity, and feel we can play our best softball at the end of the year.”
Snow began falling heavily late in Saturday’s first contest, as the game was called in the top of the sixth inning with Goshen showing strong signs at the plate. Freshman Diana Stanley reached base on a walk, and after a wild pitch and a passed ball, wound up on third with just one out. Sophomore Haly Williamson then gathered a walk to first base, and Goshen had runners at the corners with just one out retired.
Hope from Bontrager didn’t slow down the snow showers, however, as an increasing amount of frozen precipitation eventually forced game officials to call things off. With five innings completed, the game would be counted as official.
“I was disappointed that we couldn’t resume the first game from Saturday (on Monday),” Bontrager said. “We had runners on first and third with just one out, and I was hoping we could pick back up from there and see if we could make a push with things. Unfortunately, since we had already played five innings, we couldn’t.”
Goshen had rallied to tie the game at 2-2 in the top of the fourth inning, after freshman Heather FitzSimmons drove in sophomore Amy Clem with an RBI triple. FitzSimmons then scored when Williamson hit a hard ground ball to second, sacrificing her teammate across the plate.
Huntington responded with a six-run bottom of the fourth, however, successfully concluding junior starter Tera Brackman’s (0-5) tenure in the pitching circle. Brackman faced 19 batters and was relieved after giving up all eight of Huntington’s scores. Williamson came on in relief in that sixth inning, facing three batters, striking out two.
FitzSimmons led the way at the plate, going 1-2 with an RBI and a run scored thanks to her triple. Clem put forth a 2-3 performance, while Williamson collected her seventh RBI of the year on her sacrifice ground out.
As snow stopped play Saturday evening, the extended break gave Bontrager and staff time to calculate a change to their lineup — a facet that the Leafs’ leader would later say provided dividends. Making the trip back to Huntington Monday, the Leafs were able to stay one step ahead of the Foresters all day, eventually pulling out a 9-6 win despite being out-hit by a 12 to 11 count.
“We tweaked our lineup a little for Monday’s game based on things we’ve observed throughout the season,” Bontrager said. “Putting (freshman) Kathryn Schlabach at the lead-off spot helped. She hit great and got on base for us, which put us in a position to bring her around to score.”
Schlabach — who had been hitting in the two hole for most of the season — finished 2-4 on the afternoon with a pair of runs scored. Brackman flip-flopped positions in the order, hitting second and providing Goshen with a 1-3, one-run performance.
Perhaps the biggest beneficiary of the lineup change was FitzSimmons, who blasted a career-best three doubles to drive in a team-best four scores, finishing 3-4 on the game with three runs scored as well.
Goshen’s offense was able to stay just ahead of Huntington throughout the game, as a four-run, first inning paved the way. Bontrager’s team eventually put together another four-run spurt — this one coming in the top of the fourth — keeping the host Foresters at bay for good.
In addition to Schlabach, Brackman and FitzSimmons’ production, Goshen received stellar hitting from Clem (1-4, two RBI) and the bottom half of the lineup. Stanley (1-4, one RBI), Williamson (1-3, two RBI) and freshman Jessica Carney (2-4, one RBI) all provided an offensive boost, with Williamson and Stanley each recording doubles as well.
“Heather was on at the plate and we were able to produce runs from deep in the lineup,” Bontrager said. “That really made the difference in the score.”
Not to be overshadowed — according to Bontrager — was a heady pitching performance from Williamson (2-4). Despite giving up 12 hits and six runs, only five came via the earned variety, while Williamson struck out 11 Forester batters.
“Haly stayed strong in the pitching circle all day,” Bontrager said. “She didn't get riled when Huntington hit the ball and scored some runs. Another year under her belt has meant great growth for her as a pitcher.”
Like the weather on Saturday, Goshen must wait for its next crack at MCC competition, as the Leafs schedule pits the team with an out-of-league contest next. After an administrative error cancelled a supposed Tuesday double-dip with Rochester College, Goshen will next take the field on Thursday when the team hosts St. Mary’s College for a double-header. Game time for the first of two is set for 3:30 p.m.
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Freshman Heather FitzSimmons