Softball splits with Dickenson, enter playoffs third

By Maegan White

Elm Staff Writer

The Shorewomen softball team split the last regular series of the season with Dickinson. The team entered the playoffs ranked third in the Centennial Conference while Dickinson advanced to second in the conference.

In game one, the Shorewomen lost 9-2 after a rough seventh inning. They scored first at the bottom of the first. Senior Lexi Witmer hit an RBI single which pushed senior Alyssa Vieira over the home plate.

Dickinson responded in the second inning by earning two runs placing them in the lead 2-1.

Neither team would score again until the fifth inning when Dickinson hit a two RBI home run. Freshman Gracelyn Goforth responded in the fifth inning with a home run. The fifth inning ended with Dickinson still in the lead 4-2.

Dickinson earned five more runs in the top of the seventh securing their victory 9-2 over the Shorewomen.

Dickinson scored first in the second game of the series off a two RBI home run from the second batter in the lineup.

The Shorewomen earned one run in the bottom of the first. With bases loaded and two outs, the Dickinson pitcher walked junior Chloe Terfz which advanced Vieira across the plate. The final Shorewomen batter of the inning flew out to left field leaving three on base for the Shorewomen. The first inning ended 2-1.

Neither team would score again until the bottom of the fifth when Goforth hit a single RBI tying the game.

The game remained tied entering the seventh inning. The Shorewomen defense were able to shut out the Dickinson offense. In the bottom of the seventh, Vieira and Witmer got on base. With two outs, sophomore Lilly Cook hit a hard single. The Dickinson short stop committed a fielding error allowing Vieira to score. Cook earned a walk off RBI to end the game 3-2.

The first game was marked with outstanding defensive performances from freshman Jenna Harper and Goforth. Harper earned seven putouts and Goforth earned five putouts and one assist.

Maddy Kendall and Jules Weglarz were the defensive leaders for the Shorewomen in the second game earning six and five putouts respectively. Witmer also earned seven putouts across both games.

The top performing pitcher of the series was junior Lexi Barnhart who pitched seven innings in the second game, earning three strikeouts and allowing only two runs.

According to Goforth, that the team is ready and excited about entering playoffs. “We have so much more potential that I think will be shown in playoffs,” said Goforth. “Everyone is excited about playoffs. The team was really hoping for first, but we are so grateful for third and to be in the position we are in. To prepare we are working and practicing hard and also working on some small things that will make us even stronger.”

The Shorewomen’s record now stands at 18-17-1 overall and 11-4-1 in the conference.

The team also recognized two graduating senior catcher Lexi Witmer and outfielder Alyssa Vieira, who both earned GooseNation TV Players of the game for game one and two respectively.

The Shorewomen will play Dickinson again on Thursday, May 4, for the first round of playoffs, which are double elimination.

Photo courtesy of WC Athletics

Photo Caption: Junior Lexi Barnhart pitching in the Shorewomen’s doubleheader against Dickinson.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *