Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 ELSAH, ILL. -- Game 1 Spalding - 11 Principia - 0
This game was a lot closer than the score would indicate. It was only 4-0 after 6 innings and 2 of those runs were unearned. The defense and pitching were doing a good job of getting it done. Several times Spalding was in position to score runs but Principia would come up with the play(s) they needed to get out of the inning. A few dropped fly balls and a few runs by Principia early and this could have been a different result.
The offense was up against one of the better pitchers they have seen this season. While the pitching was good the expectancy at the plate on behalf of Principia was not there. They simply allowed the pitcher to do what she wanted and did not make the adjustments they needed to make. Striking out 15 times simply does not get it done. Sam Bronkar got the only Principia hit of the game and
Casey Lee was the only batter not to strike out. Casey hit the ball well but the defense made some good plays on her.
Game 2 Spalding - 14 Principia - 0
This game got away from Principia early with Spalding scoring 4 runs in the 2
nd inning. When an offense is struggling like Principia was on the day it puts a lot of pressure on the defense and pitching to be nearly perfect. Missing two starting players for both games also was costly as several defensive errors allowed Spalding to have some big innings in both games.
Much like game one, batters were going to the plate hoping for a hit rather than expecting to have a good at bat.
Christine Nacewicz collected 2 of Principia's 3 hits and
Kelsey Whitney got the other one. And yes, in case you have been following the team this season, Kelsey did get hit by another pitch!
This team, when it fields all of its starters has proven it can pitch well and play very good defense. Early in the season the offense was terrific and it needs to return for this team to win some more games. This team is capable of playing well but it needs both its offense and defense to be in gear to compete.
