A week after running their record to an impressive 8–1, the Clan softball team has struggled to keep that momentum rolling since. The team dropped three of their next four, while impressive rains postponed two others, dropping the Clan’s record to 9–4.
That’s still an impressive mark, but after their scorching start, it is leaving much to be desired.
The lone win in that stretch came against Montana State University Billings in the second of four straight games against the Yellowjackets. After dropping the first half of the first doubleheader, the Clan came back to earn the split, but barely.
It was no doubt a pitcher’s duel, especially early on. SFU’s number-two pitcher Kelsie Hawkins, and MSUB counterpart Annaleisha Parsley kept their respective opposition scoreless through the first three innings. The Clan would open the scoring in the fourth, but would immediately give the lead right to the Jackets in the top of the fifth. It took until late in the sixth for the Clan to respond, setting the stage for a fantastic finish and the Clan’s only win of the series.
Senior shortstop Leah Riske came up to the plate in the bottom of the seventh, and belted a walk-off solo home run to earn the victory.
“The first game was bit disappointing,” said Riske. “We came back after being down and then let them take back the lead. The second game we talked about coming away with a win and we did that.”
It was a very solid effort from the Clan in game two, but one that was, unfortunately not built upon over the next two contests. Sloppy play cost the Clan, and they were outscored 24–8 in consecutive losses (including an 18–6 drubbing).
Clan ace Cara Lukawesky kept the Yellowjackets at bay for a while in the third matchup between the two teams, but she couldn’t couldn’t keep it scoreless forever. MSUB connected for three runnings in the third inning, and that was all they needed to win (though it wouldn’t be all they’d take). Lukawesky had little run support, and the Clan dropped the contest 6–2. The lack of offence, coupled with a few bad errors, did the team in, but the defeat pales in comparison to the two team’s next contest.
The aforementioned 18–6 loss was a product of more messy play, as four Clan errors turned into eight unearned runs for the Jackets. Those alone would’ve been enough to best the Clan’s six, but
the MSUB bats were hot, scoring 10 earned runs as well. Such a blowout loss is a tough pill for anyone to swallow, but it’s no doubt a wakeup call for a team that was riding high just a week ago.
“We just have to get our heads [back] in the game a little bit more and be more focused,” said junior outfielder Trisha Bouchard. “We have to go back to the basics and go from there.”
They may have hit a rough patch, but they have the personnel and the mindset, and they have a coach who, just coming off his 500th career victory, has the experience to right the ship.
