Game day four started early with a much desired rematch against Anderson, due to the dropping out of Illinois Springfield, the team we were originally scheduled to play. Anderson defeated us earlier in the week 8-4. Stacey Robertshaw started strong for us on the mound and we jumped to a five run lead. Steph Baer finished up the last few innings of the game for us. We were unfortunately unable to hold the lead and Anderson took the win 10-8. Despite the loss there were many people who performed well for us. Liz Burr went 3-4 hitting, with a triple and two RBI’s. Allison Piper went 2-4 hitting with two RBI’s as well.
With that game behind us we were focused on the next game against Trinity immediately following the first game. Amanda Downey pitched the whole game against Trinity. By the end of the fifth inning our bats started to come alive and two big hits kept us in the game. Bessie Artino’s grand slam followed by Rachel Ryan’s two run homerun cut the 7-0 deficit to 7-6. Despite our battle and “never die” attitude and enthusiasm that filled the dug out, the final score ended up being 7-6, Trinity. Though the games did not go as well as we all had hoped there were some bright spots in the midst of the lows we had today. Marci Potuzko, Sara Doan, and Becca Burns all took one for the team, wore a pitch and got a free base. Rachel Ryan went 2-4 with two RBI’s and a homerun in the second game. Bessie Artino, in the second game went 3-4 with four RBI’s and a grand slam.One a side note Coach Wardwell continues to get increasingly better, with her movement and mobility on her crutches and in her wheel chair throughout the complex.
With the games today being at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM the rest of the day was left open for those players to spend time with the family members that came to see them. There are many parents and family members who travel to Florida and many of our other games. They are a great support system and cheering section for our team. The parents often become very close to one another much like how our team is.
The players referred to as the “orphans” (the ones who had no family to go with) spent the day bonding, lounging and yes studying… we do attend Allegheny.
In the van ride to and from our destinations we often play this word association game. You think of a string of words that all relate to one another. You then tell everyone the first and last word; it is then their job to think of the words in between the first and last word that relate them all together. For example will: mate. Will power, power house, house mate.
So I end my blog with this riddle: heat: stick (2 words in between)- Felicia Gowanlock, Freshman
