JEN HANTZ
STAFF WRITER
The Lady Barons softball players found themselves victorious in a close game against the La Roche University Redhawks, 4-3, in their first game of the afternoon at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24.
The Lady Barons had a rough start when they gave up three runs in the top of the first after the bases were loaded. The Lady Barons threatened their opponent as junior outfielder Kathleen Thompson made a line drive into left field and reached first. After freshman outfielder Rachel Cooper got out on a fly, freshman first baseman Anna Swierczewski reached first base on a walk while Thompson stole second.
Cleaning their act up quickly in the second inning, the Lady Barons advanced the bases with a walk from freshman catcher Chloe Cross. Then, senior third baseman Anna Ames stole second base and attempted to steal third only to be thrown out. In the bottom of the third with bases loaded, junior shortstop Dennise Carrazco scored off a passed ball, giving the Lady Barons their first run of the afternoon.
The Lady Barons seemed to catch fire during the bottom of the fourth as Cross crossed home plate off of a single from freshman third baseman Mary Roach. A double from sophomore second baseman Allyson Weiss allowed Roach and Ames to both score runs. Weiss was left stranded to end the inning, but the Lady Barons had done a lot of damage, leaving the score at 4-3 in favor of the home team.
The fifth inning consisted of some tough defense with both pitchers taking care of business. In the bottom of the sixth, Carrazco hit a ground ball along the third baseline and reached first. Thompson hit a line drive all the way to right outfield, reaching first and advancing Carrazco to second. The two players were left on base when Cooper got out on a fly, ending the inning. The game ended 4-3 with a win for Franciscan.
The Lady Barons also reigned victorious in their second game at 5 p.m., crushing the Redhawks 7-1.
Freshman pitcher Sarah Keating threw four strikeouts and gave up no walks, sophomore pitcher Andi Queen threw one strikeout and gave up two walks and freshman pitcher Tori Luyster only gave up one walk.
Head coach James Walker was impressed by the team’s efforts. “The girls did a really good job of battling back,” he said. “Today’s wins helped us clinch a spot, so we just want to keep getting better every day so we are playing our best when playoffs start.”
The next home game for the Lady Barons will be at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 28, against the Medaille Mavericks.