by The Cowl Editor on April 6, 2017
Sports
by Eileen Flynn ’20
Sports Staff
The Providence College Softball Team spent their weekend in Washington, D.C. visiting the Georgetown Hoyas. With a recent victory against Fairfield under their belt, the Friars hoped to continue their success in our nation’s capital.
Saturday, April 1, was the first match of the three game weekend. The first two innings passed, both teams itching to get the first run but neither could finalize their opportunities. The Hoyas crossed home plate first in the bottom of the third and took a 1-0 lead over the Friars. Emma Lee ’19, sparked a movement for the Friars in the 5th inning. Capitalizing on a Georgetown error, Lee advanced on the diamond, paving the way for Nicole Lundstromn ’17, and Vanesa Portillo ’19, who both walked, to load the bases. Brittney Veler ’18 did not leave her teammates stranded. The junior made contact and sent the ball into the outfield. Her double put the Friars on the board and ahead of the Hoyas by two.
The sixth inning brought another run for the Friars. Paige Mulry ’18 hit a single that drove Mackensie Compton ’20 home. Georgetown responded to the Friars fourth consecutive run by making the score 4-4 in the bottom of the sixth, and eventually concluded the game, 6-4.
The Friars did not have a lot of time to reflect on the loss against the Hoyas. Less than 24 hours later, the two teams were swinging their bats and warming up their arms again in preparation for not one, but two more games.
PC got the first run of the day in the first inning. The Friars and Hoyas fought back and forth for several innings; after the top of the third, the score was 8-4 with the Hoyas in the lead.
Providence struggled to stop Georgetown and the Hoyas continued to accumulate runs. The Friars came up dry the rest of the game, ultimately losing 13-5.
Providence did not let these two losses negatively affect their final game played on Georgetown’s field. Instead, the Friars learned from their mistakes and were able to respond to Georgetown’s early offensive success. Although the Hoyas were leading 3-1 after the fourth inning, there was an important difference in how the Friars played the next couple of innings. Providence was able to hold Georgetown off with Christina Ramirez ’18, who pitched a complete game. With Ramirez’s steady performance on the mound, the Friars were able to concentrate on their offense. Compton’s single opened the flood gates for Providence in the top of the seventh. Veler brought Compton around and Portillo’s single sent Rurka home. Megan McCune ’19, was able to capitalize on her teammates’ momentum and greeted the fresh Hoya pitcher with a grand slam. Tallying eight runs in one inning, the Friars finished the game on top 9-3.
Providence’s record, after a long weekend away from home, is 9-18. The Friars will play a closer rival, the Brown Bears, this Wednesday, April 5.