By Dominic Rapposelli
Sports Editor
Washington College softball secured their second Centennial Conference win of the season in a road battle at Dickinson College. The Shorewomen and Red Devils split the series, with host team Dickinson taking the first game.
The first contest remained scoreless until the top of the eighth inning. Senior shortstop Neveah Unzueta scored off a throwing error as senior catcher Shannon Rosche was at bat.
WC took the lead 1-0 into the bottom of the eighth.
After giving up a run in the eighth inning, junior infielder Lilly Wenzel batted home junior second base player Gracelyn Goforth on a single play to retake a 2-1 lead.
WC gave up two runs in the bottom of the ninth as they fell 3-2 in game one.
The second game saw the Shorewomen down 2-0 at the beginning of the fourth inning.
Wenzel added two RBI as Goforth and senior outfielder Lilly Cook scored off a single. Wenzel made her way home courtesy of Unzueta, before she was also batted home by Rosche to give the visiting Shorewomen a 4-2 lead.
After seven innings, the game was tied at four runs.
Junior utility player Jenna Harper found home plate in the top of the eighth to permanently retake the Shorewomen lead.
This was the first of a six-run inning, extending the margin to 10-4. The Shorewomen gave up a lone run in the bottom of the eighth but secured the 10-5 victory.
“We have so much talent and an amazing team culture this season, so I knew it was just a matter of time until things would start to click. After playing two hard-fought games and splitting with Dickinson on Saturday, as well as splitting with McDaniel last Thursday, I feel extremely positive and expectant of our success going forward in conference play,” senior pitcher Gen Kozub said.
Kozub pitched the complete second contest, earning a strikeout and her fourth pitching win of the season. She is currently 4-5 this season from the mound.
“Myself, as well as my teammates, have done a lot of mental work both before and during the season to prepare and ground ourselves for competing. This includes visualization techniques, positive affirmations, prayer, etc. This year in particular, I’ve felt the weight of how much of a mental sport softball is,” Kozub said. “The second you get doubt or fear in your head, failure becomes infinitely more likely.”
The Shorewomen are back in action on April 10 for a home doubleheader with the Haverford College Fords.
The squad additionally hosts a doubleheader with Muhlenberg College on April 12 with first pitch at 1 p.m.
“We know what we need to do to accomplish our goals long term. For the Conference, we just need to stay determined and play each game one at a time,” Cook said.
Photo courtesy of WC Athletics.
Photo Caption: The Shorewomen secured their second Centennial Conference win on the road, with a pair of home doubleheaders this weekend.