Although the winter weather conditions have made it tough for the softball team to take the field on a regular basis, the Yellowjackets managed to fit in a doubleheader against SUNY Brockport April 2.
UR dropped both contests as the team’s struggles continue.
The first game was all Brockport, as the Golden Eagles shut out UR 8-0.
Brockport pitcher Kristen Clark was one of the most foreboding elements of the game.
“She was hitting her location and kept us on balance the whole game,” junior and captain Sara Dial said. “That was the biggest challenge in the first game.”
What was most significant, according to senior Meredith Gray, was a lack of team play and communication.
Because of all the cancelations and postponements, the Yellowjackets have not had as many opportunities to gel on the diamond and develop team chemsitry.
“We just were not working together,” Gray said.
UR was outhit 14-4 in the first game and committed two defensive errors in the field.
With the opening loss behind them, the Yellowjackets geared up for the nightcap.
While the results were much better for UR, the outcome was not as the Yellowjackets fell to Brockport 6-4.
The team pinpointed its improved concentration in the second game as one of the key reasons for the improvement.
“We carried more confidence,” Dial said. “We were playing our game and we controlled the tempo in the batters box. It made a big difference.”
The Yellowjackets were also able to settle in better the second game and focus on playing smart, fundamentally sound softball. UR capitalized on Brockport’s mistakes, as all but one of the runs allowed by the Golden Eagles were unearned.
Junior captain Tracy Simon brought in the first run during the second inning on a double. The third inning brought in three runs for UR, with senior Val Palermo, freshman Anne O’Brien and Dial each crossing home.
But that would not be enough, as the Yellowjackets never led. Brockport put an insurance run on the board in the top of the seventh. UR was unable to answer in the bottom half of the frame.
The squad looks to compete against Keuka College, SUNY Buffalo, SUNY Geneseo and Skidmore College in upcoming games. The dates and times are still uncertain due to the winter weather.
“Every spring sport is up in the air, not knowing who to play and when,” Gray said. “It is hard to mentally prepare yourself with this uncertainty. We’re trying to keep it fun and not let it get too monotonous. You’ve got to roll with the punches, and expect to play any day.”
They Yellowjackets have not played well since returning to Rochester following their trip to Florida for the University Athletic Association Championships. UR has yet to record a win up north, with its only two victories coming against Case Western Reserve University.
Josephson can be reached at ejosephson@campustimes.org.
