Softball splits series with Spartans

“I think this series was a wake-up call for us,” said pitcher Ali McAnany ’11.

In their two-game series at home against neighbor Castleton State College last Saturday, the Panthers went one-for-two in two very close match-ups. The first game of the day was characterized by a real lack of offensive play from both teams, a fact illustrated by the surprising 1-0 final score.

It was not until the fifth inning that the first, and what was ultimately to be the only, run of the game was scored. Megan Blongy of Castleton State was driven home by teammate Sarah Flore’s RBI single, giving the Spartans the 1-0 advantage that later proved enough to clinch the game.

With the exception of Flore’s RBI single, offensive production throughout the contest was essentially nonexistent. On the game, the Panthers were 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position; Castleton fared only marginally better, going 1-6 with RISP.

“We were a little over confident and didn’t play our game,” noted McAnaney, who led the Middlebury defense in the first game. Allowing only one run, she struck out 10 Spartans, keeping the final score much lower than anticipated.

However, while the Panther defense was the only thing keeping the squad alive in the first game of the doubleheader, it became clear early on that the second game would follow a different trajectory.

“Although we struggled offensively in the first game, we came out with the bats from the start in the second game and everyone contributed to help us bounce back,” said first baseman Megan Margel ’11.

Two triples, a bunt and a double later and the Panthers were up 4-0 in the bottom of the first. Castleton was quick to answer with a few runs of its own, scoring three in the top of the second.

Middlebury scored again in the bottom of the second, tallying five to Castleton’s three in a game that was shaping up to be somewhat of a call and response by the opposing offenses. Castleton’s response to the Panther’s call was to tie the game up at 5-5 in the top of the third.

A Castleton pitching change in the bottom of the third took some life out of the Panther offense, which was held scoreless until the bottom of the fifth, when the team managed to sneak in a run off a Spartan error.

Castleton was again quick to respond, tying the game at 6-6 in the top of the sixth. Coming in for last licks, the Panthers added one more run to their total off a Margel double that brought Jessa Hoffman ’13 home and gave the Panthers a 7-6 lead ––and, more importantly, the win.

Margel had an impressive game overall, batting 3-for-4 with a triple, double and two RBIs. Rookie Emma Katz ’13 led the Panthers from the mound in her first career start and win, while fellow rookie Jessica Poracky ’13 notched a pair of doubles and a pair of RBIs in the victory.

While the Panthers certainly recovered from the early loss, they were nonetheless disappointed with the series’ results –– a series they’ll try to learn from going into the postseason.

“Although it was one of the more frustrating losses, I think it was an important lesson learned before our upcoming Wesleyan series,” said McAnaney.

This weekend’s match up against Wesleyan is very important in determining the Panthers postseason fate, but rather than give in to nerves, they have been drawing confidence from what has been a successful season to date.

“This weekend is huge for us,” noted Margel, “because whoever wins the series will make the NESCAC tournament.”

“Thus far we’ve had an incredibly successful season,” she continued, “and have put ourselves in a position to qualify for the NESCAC tournament.”

Postseason prospects hinge on a positive result against Wesleyan, a series both Margel and McAnaney are confident they can win.
“I’m confident that if we play our game we’ll be in a great position to take the series,” said Margel.

“We’re competitive, scrappy and confident,” echoed McAnaney. I’ve never been more sure that we can do this. All we have to do is play our game.”

The Panthers take on Wesleyan at home Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.