It was a week of ups and downs for UR softball, pulling a number of important victories while also losing in several very close games. They did, however, get their 20th win of the season, against Skidmore College, a first in team history. “I think that it is a very positive step in the right direction to hit the 20-win mark, but we are capable of a lot more,” said sophomore Samantha Carr. “We are playing great ball right now, and we need to just keep hitting and execute on defense. A goal of this team is to make it to postseason, and we definitely have the talent to do it.”UR softball continued their winning streak on April 14 against the SUNY Geneseo Blue Knights, picking up their eighteenth victory in the first game 5-0. Junior Kristina Long, who was Liberty League Pitcher of the Week for April 11, threw a complete-game shut-out against the Blue Knight offense, striking out two and scattering three hits.”Nina threw a great game against Geneseo,” Head Coach Jeanine Gunther said. “She has really proven to be an asset to this team. Though she struggled through the first few games of the season, she has really come around and truly deserves her Liberty League honor.”However, the Blue Knights struck back in the second game, scoring a number of runs in the early innings. Despite a valiant effort in later innings by the UR offense that nearly tied the game in the seventh inning, the Yellowjackets fell 7-6. With this loss fresh on their minds – their first in nine games – the Yellowjackets took on Skidmore College in a doubleheader on the afternoon on April 17. UR took both games from Skidmore, 6-3 and 7-4, and earned the benchmark 20th win of the season. “We played two solid games against Skidmore and they were two important victories because See SOFTBALL, Page 22
See Tennis, Page 26Skidmore was the first Liberty League team we faced,” Gunther said. “Our starting catcher [senior Bridget Baran] could not play on Saturday, so despite some movement around in the field, everyone did their job and it all came together from there.”Sophomore Jena Robertson led the Yellowjacket offense, going 3-3 with three doubles and two RBIs. Freshman Alicia Citro drove in the other three Yellowjacket runs off a two-run double and a sacrifice fly. In the second game with Skidmore, last week’s Liberty League Rookie of the Week freshman Jessica Sorrentino was 2-4 with an RBI double and RBI single. “Jessica has been a great surprise for this team,” Gunther said. “She consistently gets herself on base and then uses her impressive speed to get herself home by all means possible.”On April 17, the Yellowjackets matched up against the No. 1 ranked Liberty League team, Union College, and suffered two disappointing defeats, falling 8-2 and then 7-3. “Union was a really good team and we just didn’t play our best game against them,” Gunther said. “Our offense did not hold itself together and did not get the hits we needed. We committed a number of crucial errors on the field. It was certainly a learning experience for the team.”But the Yellowjacket’s next opponent, Buffalo State College, proved to be formidable, winning both games in their double-header on April 19. UR struggled in the first game, losing 1-9, but then tried to step it up against Buffalo for their second match-up.Extra innings were needed after the UR tied Buffalo at six in the top of the 7th inning. UR and Buffalo matched each other run for run until the 11th inning when Buffalo broke through in the bottom half of the inning and scored the final run of the game. It was a tough 12-11 loss for the UR to swallow, but the team remains optimistic. “Everyone on the team contributes something vital to our success and our overall improvement,” sophomore Rachel Askin said. “This season so far has exceeded our expectations and we’re looking to continue to do so. We have a very good shot at making the ECAC or even the [National Collegiate Athletic Association Championship], so all we can do now is pick our play and get tougher every game.””With 10 games left, we are all evaluating what we want from the end of the season,” Gunther said. “We will face all strong opponents and we just have to focus on playing well and getting as many wins as possible.”Troyer can be reached at mtroyer@campustimes.org.
