BY NICOLE SCHMIDT
The Lady Bears softball team
began a long week of games on Monday, April 16 with a double header
at Allen Park, losing both games. As of press time, their overall
record is 7-5, and 2-1 in the league.
From the start of the first
inning, the bears pulled ahead scoring three runs within the first
few pitches. By the end of the top of the first, the bears already
had scored seven runs, with hits by seniors Tiffany Rayburn and
Sarah Bozzo.
Senior Carmen Baker was the
starting pitcher for the first game. She allowed three walks in the
first inning, but ended it still leading 7-4.
The second inning was very fast
as points were scored by either team. Senior Kelly Fields had one of
the few hits of the inning, but the next three hitters got out. The
bottom of the second was very similar.
The third inning was successful
for Wyandotte with a triple by Rayburn. Bozzo attempted to steal
third but was unfortunately tagged out. The Bears scored two more
runs, bringing the score to 9-4. No hits were allowed by Baker in
the bottom of the third.
Wyandotte was subjected to
exceptional pitching during the fourth inning. Fields and junior
Christina Trevino both had hits, but no runs were scored.
On the other side, the fourth
inning was good for Allen Park, with multiple hits and two triples.
By the end of the inning, Allen Park had tied up the game.
The next three innings were no
better news for the Bears. Between the fifth, six, and seventh
innings only two hits were made, and no runs scored. The bottom of
the fifth was Allen Park’s last attempt to take the lead, and they
scored six runs. They managed a double and a stolen base, as well as
several hits. These were the last points scored of the game,
bringing the final score to 15-9, in favor of Allen Park.
As the team nears the middle of
their season, the girls and coach Jackie Jagiello are starting to
see improvements.
"We are strongest defensively and
also at bat, but our hitting has improved immensely," said Jagiello.
Junior Lindsey Kramer agrees.
"We are pretty strong in
everything, we have strong defense and our hitting is also pretty
good," Kramer said.
However, there are still things
the team needs to work on.
"We need to stop making stupid
errors and putting ourselves down to the other team’s level," said
junior Keri Dobis. "We need to practice hard and keep confident in
the game."
Coach Jagiello, on the other
hand, thinks the team could be stronger mentally when running bases.
The team will need to overcome
these difficulties and keep strong with what they are good at in
order to reach the team’s goals. With a league record of 2-1 as of
press time, no more league losses can be compensated for.
"I would like to win the league
championships," said Jagiello. "We can’t afford to lose any more
league games, and Lincoln Park will be a tough competitor."
Members of the team are hopeful
that this year’s line up will take them far.
"Our team is a lot better this
year, so I hope we can make it to districts," said Kramer.
