In their first games since the sweep of SUNY Brockport on March 29, UR softball has gone 3-1, splitting their doubleheader against the St. John Fisher College Cardinals on March 31 and taking both games from Medaille College on April 1.
The Yellowjackets performed impressively in all four games, improving their record to 13-10. At St. John Fisher, UR played tough in their first game, but lost in a close match with a final score of 2-0. Junior Kristina Long pitched a complete game, giving up six hits and one walk.
The two singles by freshman Alicia Citro and junior Jen Moshier were the Yellowjackets’ two hits on the day.
When the Yellowjackets and Cardinals faced off again that afternoon, the team fought out a 4-2 victory with Moshier on the mound. Pitching a complete game, Moshier allowed only six hits and two walks.
The Yellowjackets tagged the three Cardinal pitchers for a total of nine hits. Four of those hits led to two important runs during an exciting fourth inning.
Sophomore Jena Robertson, who went three for four in the game, started off the inning with a single. Junior Laura Rubinchuk drove in Robertson on an RBI single, and Moshier hit a double that scored Rubinchuk.
“We struggled at bat in the first game against St. John Fisher, so when we went into the second [game] we were ready to get a win,” Head Coach Jeanine Gunther said. “It was a very good effort overall.”
Carrying their momentum into their doubleheader the next day, the Yellowjackets took the first game 9-3 and the second 5-3.
“Medaille has been a much stronger team this season than in past years,” Gunther said. “There were some players who hit very well and our pitching staff stepped up to the challenge to slow down the Medaille offense.”
Robertson contributed with a home run in both games. Moshier proved vital in both games, scoring a total of six runs in both games while also pitching a three-hitter in game two.
For her efforts last week, Moshier was named Liberty League Pitcher of the Week.
Throwing three complete-game victories against Brockport, St. John Fisher and Medaille, Moshier struck out three and allowed only 12 hits in those 19 innings.
“Jen threw three great games and was impressive offensively,” Gunther said. “She really came through on the bat after struggling this season. She had many great multiple-base hits, and her performance has been a nice surprise for the team.”
In addition, freshman infielder Alicia Citro was named Liberty League Rookie of the Week. Going six for 16 in the six games last week, Citro had one triple and a home run, knocking in six runs.
“Alicia has consistently played very well all around,” Gunther said.”Pretty much whenever she gets up to bat, she comes through for us and leads the team in home runs. Her defense has been equally as impressive.”
“It’s been exciting to see a lot of improvement in the team,” Moshier said. “We’ve been practicing really hard and getting great results is always a deserved reward. Everyone has been hitting the ball well and the pitching staff has really been holding up its end. All in all, we’re having an awesome season.”
UR softball will play two games in the upcoming week, one away at Hamilton College today and the other at home against Keuka College on April 9.
Troyer can be reached at mtroyer@campustimes.org.
