Poor Weather and Shaky Play Plague Providence

The Softball Team traveled to Boston University on Wednesday, April 28, to play a doubleheader against the Terriers. Neither game was played because of poor weather conditions, and due to lack of time, the games will not be rescheduled. 

Despite missing these two games, the Friars still got in a few games of softball this past week.  The Friars began a nine-game road trip when the Friars traveled to Piscataway, N.J. where they were hosted by Big East foe Rutgers University for a three-game series, going 1-2. The Friars dropped to 18-24 overall and 7-9 in Big East play while Rutgers improved to 18-27 and 4-9.

“By now we are all really comfortable with each other and we know what to expect so it shouldn’t make a difference for us to head out on the road,” said pitcher Danielle Bertolette ’10. “We need to be able to win going against tough teams even if we’re away and so far this season we’ve done well with that.”

“We are just trying to play our best and win every day,” said third baseman Katelyn Revens ’10. “We need and want every game, and it’s exciting to get out there and play these tough games.”

On Sunday, April 25, the Friars dropped the rubber match, 4-2. The Scarlet Knights jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Brittney Lindley singled in a run and then came around to score, stealing home plate. PC evened the score (2-2) in the top of the third when Justine Stratton ’11 doubled in two runs, tallying 10 RBIs in the last week and earning a spot on the Big East Weekly Honor Roll.

In the bottom of the third, Rutgers took the lead for good when Mandy Craig crushed a two-run shot, sealing the 4-2 victory. The Friars threatened in the fifth when they loaded the bases with two outs, but they were unable to convert. Alicia Grosso ’12 started the game for the Friars, pitched four innings, struck out two, and allowed two runs, and Corinne Claus ’13 finished off the game by pitching two scoreless innings.

On Saturday, April 24, PC squared off in a double-header against the Scarlet Knights, with each team claiming a win. Rutgers took the first game of the day 3-0, as Nicole Lindley pitched a complete game shutout, allowing just two hits and striking out nine. Rutgers scored the only run it would need in the first inning off Brittney Lindley’s sacrifice fly, but tacked on two more runs in the sixth to finish off the Friars.

In game two, PC fared much better, jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning when Christy Becker ’10 scored on an error and Teresa Bertels ’10 drove in another run with a sacrifice bunt. In the fifth inning, the Friars took advantage of having the bases loaded. Stratton hit a two run single which put Michelle Huber ’12 in position to score on a wild pitch. Jen Abrams ’12 then came through with an RBI single, bringing the Friar lead to 6-0.

In the bottom of the fifth Rutgers scored an unearned run, the last of the game, bringing the score to 6-1. Grosso got the win for the Friars, pitching a complete game and allowing just the one, unearned run.

“We are getting the performances we need right now as far as pitching is concerned, but we are still making some small mistakes which may affect the outcome of the game,” said Head Coach Kerri Jacklets. “This comes down to believing that, ‘Yes, we can be in the top of the conference.’ What we know is what we know, and this is about believing in what we can do every time we go out to play.”

With just seven games left in the regular season, the Friars will be back in action on Thursday, April 29, when they travel to Kingston, R.I. for a single game against in-state rival University of Rhode Island.