By Grace Hogsten
Copy Editor
Washington College softball slipped into a pattern this week, playing two doubleheaders that featured an initial loss followed by a victory. The Shorewomen remain in contention for a Centennial Conference playoff slot, engaged in a four-way tie for fifth place in the standings.
The squad began the week’s formula on April 9 when the team traveled to Media, Pa. to challenge Penn State Brandywine. Junior outfielder Mia Mavoides got the team moving by making WC’s first hit at the top of the second inning.
“It felt so good. I love being able to step in the box with the ability to get on top first and get my team hype,” Mavoides said.
Despite WC’s efforts, the Nittany Lions were fierce competitors. Brandywine ruled the scoreboard 3-0 at the top of the fourth, but junior outfielder Julia Weglarz was ready to pick up where Mavoides left off, making it to first base as third batter up.
However, by the bottom of the inning, the Nittany Lions added two runs to their lead. Junior infielder Gracelyn Goforth sent a double to center at the top of the sixth inning. Unfortunately, Goforth’s hit was the last of the contest, and the Shorewomen fell to Brandywine 5-0.
Nevertheless, WC upped its game for the next match, emerging victorious after plenty of action. The Shorewomen secured the game’s first run in the opening inning thanks to a double from senior infielder Chloe Trefz, who stole third and headed home. Trefz not only gave her team a strong start but hit a career milestone of 100 hits with the run.
“I was honestly so excited I forgot to run after I hit it at first. It was the culmination of hard work for four years and it’s something I am very proud to have accomplished and lucky to have the teammates I do that supported me every step of the way,” Trefz said.
Maintaining her teammate’s momentum, junior infielder Lilly Wenzel sent a double to center field, which secured her a scoring position as Mavoides stepped up to the plate. On the wings of a fielding error, Mavoides reached the base and Wenzel made it all the way home.
WC kept racking up runs, with senior utility player Nevaeh Unzueta making it to second base, just before a Weglarz single brought Mavoides home. After junior catcher Becca Foulk hit one more run, the Shorewomen ended the first inning leading 4-1, and Unzueta made it home at the top of the third thanks to a double from Weglarz.
Opening the fifth inning, senior outfielder Lilly Cook hit a double before heading home on a single from Wenzel, who put another point on the board following a catcher error. The Nittany Lions threatened the Shorewomen’s lead in the bottom of the fifth, closing the gap to 7-5 before three doubles from Trefz, Goforth, and Cook in the sixth earned the team two more runs.
Creeping further ahead, the Shorewomen snagged another point when a single from junior utility player Jenna Harper brought Unzueta home. In a final attempt to best WC again, Brandywine made two more runs but failed to earn a victory; the Shorewomen secured a 10-7 win.
The following day, April 10, WC headed into another set of games at home. In the second inning, Weglarz started out with a walk and gained two more bases due to a fielding error. So close to home, Weglarz completed the run on a single from Mavoides and the teams sat at a 1-1 tie.
Unfortunately, Haverford fought back, earning a three-point lead by the sixth inning. Despite the Shorewomen’s valiant effort — including a single from Mavoides at the bottom of the sixth — the home team could not vanquish their visitors and lost 4-1.
Much like their doubleheader a few days earlier, however, the Shorewomen regrouped after an initial loss. WC’s opening was slow but steady. Hitting a single to second base at the bottom of the second inning, Unzueta made her way to the base after a throwing error by the Fords following two outs, paving the way for Wenzel to make it all the way home.
Unzueta was soon to follow, raising the score on a single by senior catcher Shannon Rosche. A double from Mavoides sent Rosche home in turn before Mavoides herself secured the team’s fourth point on the board.
At the bottom of the following inning, Cook hit a single, made it to second on a Wenzel single, and ran home on a throwing error, cementing the Shorewomen’s lead 5-0. WC did not slow down; the bottom of the fourth saw Mavoides hit by a pitch and a single from Trefz, followed by Lilly Cook being walked.
With the bases perfectly primed to widen the team’s lead, Wenzel hit a home run — her second grand slam of the season — and brought the Shorewomen one point further, a lead they maintained for the rest of the match for a final 9-0 win.
“The Conference games against Haverford were important for the season,” Mavoides said. “By splitting with them we put ourselves in a good position for playoffs.”
The Shorewomen are looking forward to a pair of home doubleheaders against Muhlenberg College on April 18 and Ursinus College on April 19.