March 21, 2011 11:51 PM
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Softball
Principia College Athletics
Principia softball falls to Spalding in first conference match-up
Principia College Athletics
LOUISVILLE, KY. -- Today's first game was a close one and a good start to a double header against Spalding despite losing 5-0. These two games were the team's first conference games.
Devon Harrison got the start and threw well despite taking a hit off her pitching arm during her first at bat. Dev gave up six hits, three of which came in the first inning. With a walk and two hit batters added to the three hits in the first inning, Spalding put four runs across the plate. After the first inning Prin out hit Spalding 4-3 but couldn't take advantage of numerous scoring opportunities. Prin left eight runners in scoring position during the game so the game really was much closer than the score appeared.
Christine Nacewicz went one for four and had a stolen base.
Andie Raffles was also one for four and
Marianna Distel was two for two with a walk.
Devon Harrison stole second base after being hit by a pitch. Some solid looking offense was present during this game but the inability to come through with clutch hitting with runners in scoring position really hurt Prin's chances to win this one.
Game two started out well but ended with Spaulding up 10-1. Principia being the home team in game two put Spalding out in order in the first inning. In their half of the inning Prin's bats showed up and generated a run to take the early lead. Unfortunately a trend that started in Myrtle Beach continued here tonight. In every inning that Prin has scored they have given runs back in the next inning including tonight.
Andie Raffles got the start in game two and was rolling along fine until a big sixth inning happened. Andie did her best to keep things close but an ineffective offense was putting a lot of pressure on each successive inning. Prin only had six hits but did manage to hit several other balls hard that went right at defenders. The trend of leaving runners in scoring position happened again in game two. Prin left seven runners in scoring position in this game.
Christine Nacewicz had a one for three night with another stolen base.
Devon Harrison had a big offensive game going three for three with one of the hits being a double.
Jessy MacMullin was one for three as was
Casey Lee with Casey's hit being a double.
Good things keep showing up at each game which is encouraging, but this team needs to start putting the good things together for more than a few innings. It is a very capable team that has significant talent but hasn't yet shown the ability to play seven strong innings.
