(Game 1 Stats) (Game 2 Stats) Goshen, IN — Saturday’s double-header against Indiana Tech may not exist in the Goshen College record books, but to the players on the field it was a very real experience.
Freshman Heather FitzSimmons banged her second and third home runs of the season as the Leafs knocked out the visiting Warriors by 7-0 and 11-3 scores, providing a collective boost of confidence before the onset of an eight-game, Mid-Central Conference stretch.
Contractually agreed upon as exhibition games — Indiana Tech used a roster made up primarily of reserve players — Saturday’s wins may not have officially counted for Goshen (4-7, 1-1), but served as a possible precursor of future successes according to head coach Linda Bontrager.
“We were a better team today both offensively and defensively than we have been all season,” she said. “If we can keep this level of intensity up, we’ll do well the rest of the year.”
Junior Tera Brackman gave Bontrager’s team a lift in Saturday’s first game, as the right-hander offered a full game in the pitching circle for the first time since aggravating an injury to her throwing arm earlier in the season. Tossing a one-hitter, Brackman struck out seven Warrior batters and allowed just four base runners on the day.
The Leafs’ offense, meanwhile, didn’t need nearly the breathing room. Four hits on the day were well-timed, as FitzSimmons did 75 percent of the damage. A two-run homer highlighted a 3-4 performance on the afternoon, while a two-out double helped Goshen to a three-run fourth inning. On the game, FitzSimmons finished 3-4 with five RBI.
“Heather was very patient, yet aggressive enough to jump on sweet pitches,” Bontrager said. “That’s a big reason why she was able to hit home runs today.”
FitzSimmons second long-ball of the afternoon came during the Leafs’ 11-3 Game 2 drubbing, as she and junior Amy Clem delivered back-to-back jacks in Goshen’s six-run fourth inning. Clem began the onslaught with a three-run blast on a 3-2 pitch, while FitzSimmons followed with a solo shot to left center. The tandem marked the first time Goshen players registered back-to-back home runs under Bontrager.
Senior Faith Borrell finished 2-3 at the plate with an RBI, while every Goshen player either scored a run, registered a hit or drove in a score in the win. Clem finished 1-3 with three RBI in the second-game win, while freshman Jessica Carney went 1-3 with two RBI. Brackman found her niche at the plate as well, going 2-3 with two runs scored.
Freshman Diana Stanley picked up the win in the pitching circle, going three and two thirds innings. Sophomore Haly Williamson picked up the save in a relief effort.
“Our hitting was good the first game, but we came on strong the second game,” Bontrager said. “We also had no errors in the second game. Errors have sometimes hurt us in the past. I know this team is capable of mental toughness, and having no errors in the second game proved that. From a pitching aspect, I was excited to see all three of my pitchers earn either a win or a save. They all pitched at the level I know they're capable of. Tera felt good and pitched a great first game. If she pitches the rest of the season the way she did on Saturday, we'll be able to do well against the teams in our conference.”
Bontrager’s squad will begin a four-stop tour in the MCC beginning Tuesday, when the team travels to neighboring rival Bethel College for its next double-header. The Pilots enter the contests riding an eight-game winning streak. Game time for the first of two is set for 3 p.m.
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Freshman Heather FitzSimmons