Softball splits tough series
The Bobcats’ star pitcher, senior Mandy Chandler, started both games and went the distance, totaling 15 innings and 28 strikeouts on the day. She struck out 14 Bulldogs in each game, bringing her total to 84 in 47.1 innings pitched this year.
Chandler has stepped up to fill in for younger pitchers on the Bobcat staff who haven’t grown accustomed to the college game yet. Her sister, freshman Sabrina, started the second game but did not record an out before Mandy came in to pitch seven innings.
“Our young pitchers have shown that they can perform well,” senior second baseman Lindsey Swanson said. “But they just need innings. They have to adjust to better hitters in college and a three-foot (farther) difference between the mound and home plate.”
Swanson explained the reasoning behind Chandler pitching back-to-back games. Last season, Chandler usually pitched the first game of a series, and would get a rest during the second.
“It’s Coach (Chaffinch)’s call,” Swanson said. “But Mandy will go out there and throw until she dies on the field.”
The offense was held in check during the first game, with a 1-1 first-inning score holding until the bottom of the extra eighth inning.
In the top of the eighth, Chandler forced a double play to put the game in the hands of the Bobcat offense.
They delivered, as a routine groundout by Swanson turned into the game-winning run. Senior outfielder Haley Holloway sped for home when she noticed the Bulldogs’ first baseman had lost track of her. She slid in safely, securing the 2-1 victory and the hard-earned win for Chandler. This win gave her 76 for her career, putting her alone in fourth place in Peach Belt Conference history.
The second game proved less successful for the Bobcats, as Chandler could not repeat the gutsy performance of the early game. She gave up eight hits, five earned runs including the game-winning three-run home run by Emily Chavis, while walking one to go along with the 14 strikeouts. She now has 874 career strikeouts, only one behind second place in PBC history.
Despite outhitting the Bulldogs 13-9, the Bobcats could not push enough runners across the plate.
Freshman outfielder Stephanie Lezcano went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored, and senior third baseman Tonya Medders and junior utility player Kayla Smith each went 3-for-4 with a run scored.
“Wingate is one of our biggest competitors in the region,” senior first baseman Chelsea Wilson said. “They came out with speed this year that we hadn’t seen before.”
Swanson echoed Wilson’s sentiments.
“We had a lot of trouble with their first two batters getting on base with their speed,” Swanson said. “Also, their pitcher in the first game was a ‘dropball’ pitcher, which takes getting used to.”
At this point, the Bobcats are 7-2 overall and 2-0 in PBC play. Wilson is excited about the team’s chances.
“I’m hands down excited about this season,” Wilson said. “This is the most solid we’ve been one through nine since I’ve been here, and we’ve got sparks coming off the bench at all positions.”
The Bobcats’ scheduled games against Georgia Southwestern State University this Wednesday were moved to March 12 due to inclement weather. Thus, the team’s next stop is the Charger Chillout tournament at the University of Alabama at Huntsville in Decatur, Ala. From Feb. 20-22.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Feb 20 2009. Filed under Sports.
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