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Softball sweeps Siena Heights
By Jodi Westrick
Collegian Reporter
After two canceled
games due to snowy weather and a trip to Florida over Spring
Break to get some extra playing time, the Charger softball team
is off to a good start.
They defeated the Saints of Siena Heights,
4-0 and 7-1, in a doubleheader Monday.
The Chargers brought their overall record
to 5-4-1 after struggling through their games in Florida.
"Those games proved that we have gotten over that learning
curve," coach Jay Jondro said. "We learned from our
mistakes at Florida, and we're making those changes to adjust
to different levels of pitching."
Senior Sara Lesko led the way by scoring two
runs, while junior Colleen McNutt went 2-3 at the plate in the
first game.
Junior Wendy Miedema added three hits and
two runs in the second game.
The games were an improvement for the Chargers,
who said they didn't play up to their abilities in Florida.
"We played flat," senior Julie Myers
said. "A lot of people were doing a lot of great things,
just not at the same time. It wasn't the Charger softball that
I know."
The team started off the trip on a high note,
defeating Pennsylvania's Albright College 6-0. They followed
that with a close 1-2 loss to Fredonia State.
"It motivated us a lot, even though we
lost those close games," freshman Amy Whaley said. "It
let us know that we could basically play anybody. We're not
as good as we could be, but we're on our way."
The caliber of competition varied for the
Chargers. When they faced Florida Gulf Coast University, a team
that has compiled a 26-10-1 record, they fell, 0-9. The Chargers
retaliated in their second game against the Eagles, finishing
with an 8-8 nine-inning tie.
"These Southern teams are able to get
out there and actually play on the field much sooner than we
are," Jondro said. "It's like you're getting thrown
into the fire when you face these teams, especially when we
haven't had a chance to actually play out on the field.
"It's a lot different from practicing
in the sports complex and switching to warmer weather."
While the Chargers faced more experienced teams, they also faced
teams that didn't match their level of competition. Batters
struggled in adjusting to slower pitching speeds, and Jondro
believes that played a large role in the Chargers' close losses.
"Some of the competition wasn't to the
extent that we'll be facing," Whaley said. "I was
happy when we finally adjusted to slower pitchers and made something
positive happen."
The Chargers lost another close game, 0-1,
to Warner Southern College, another native Florida team.
They came back with a big win against Wisconsin-Whitewater
after McNutt hit a grand slam to lead the Chargers to a 5-4
victory.
"Colleen had an awesome Florida trip,"
Jondro said. "She went 6-7 against some outstanding teams."
The Chargers finished up the trip with a 5-1
loss to Albright College and a 7-0 win over Maine's Thomas College.
The Chargers saw positive action from their pitchers. Senior
Joelle Frantz pitched a strong first game, but only pitched
two more innings beyond that. Tenderness in her shoulder and
a forfeited game prevented Frantz from contributing more.
Sophomore Lindsey McNaughton also pitched
well despite leaving with a 1-2-1 record.
"Lindsey's at the point where until Joelle's
arm is doing better, she's going to be facing the tough teams,"
Jondro said. "She's a much better pitcher than her record
might show."
The Chargers play at Kalamazoo College today,
and open GLIAC competition when they head to Wayne State on
Saturday for a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.
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