By Mel Barracato, Staff Writer
Susquehanna’s softball team opened Landmark Conference play by splitting a two-game series against Catholic on Saturday, March 23 in Selinsgrove. The River Hawks lost the first game 4–1 but bounced back with a 6–4 win in game two.
Senior Alexa Gonzalez pitched four-scoreless innings to keep the River Hawks on track, only giving up three hits in the process.
Sophomore infielder Kody Streeter drove in freshman pinch runner Katie Welker after sending a double to centerfield in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Catholic answered with two runs in the top of the fifth. Gonzalez surrendered two doubles to the first and third batters of the inning. Sophomore Brooke Wiarda came in to relieve Gonzalez after the surrendered run.
Wiarda allowed a bunt that advanced a Cardinals runner to third base. One batter later, a single down the third base line scored the runner to give Catholic their second and final run of the inning.
The sixth inning went scoreless on both sides as Wiarda held the Cardinals off for a little over two innings, but Catholic added two more runs in the top of the seventh to ensure the win.
Susquehanna totaled four hits from four different River Hawks. Streeter went 1-3, junior outfielder Emily Lear went 1-3 and sophomore outfielder Katherine Fahsbender and junior outfielder Kasey Bost each went 1-2 in the first half of the double-header. Catholic’s four runs came from nine hits and two errors from Susquehanna.
The second half of the afternoon went much better for the River Hawks as they were tied with the Cardinals up until the bottom of the sixth inning.
The final three runs decided the game in a 6–4 win for Susquehanna.
Catholic opened up with three runs in the first inning, with two coming from RBI’s and the third scoring off a wild pitch. Bost led off the scoring for the River Hawks with an RBI in the bottom of the first to bring home freshman catcher Katie Koch.
Then senior designated hitter Jill Ahrens brought Bost home on a single to narrow the Cardinals’ lead to one.
Catholic answered right back with a solo home run in the top of the third to increase their lead to 4–2.
The top of the third inning started with senior Jackie Gore drawing a walk from the Cardinals, then advancing to second on a wild pitch.
Sophomore junior Morgan Derrick entered the game to replace Gore on second.
Derrick was able to advance to third after Fahsbender grounded into a fielder’s choice in the next at-bat.
The next batter up was sophomore infielder Madison Lane, who hit a sacrifice fly ball that scored Derrick and brought the Ricer Hawks to within a point.
Susquehanna stepped up in the sixth to take full control of the game. The River Hawks scored two runs, one of which was Bost’s second RBI of the game that brought home freshman infielder Kiara Bryant.
Sophomore pitcher Gabby Bubba finished the game for the Hawks with three strikeouts to close the game in the seventh.
Bost went 2-3 in the second game and scored one run for the River Hawks. She as well as the rest of her teammates knew that some changes were needed to take away a win in the second game in this opening conference matchup.
“The biggest adjustment we made was our mindset and approach. We came into the second game knowing that nothing was going to stop us from winning and being confident in our ability and preparation to do so,” says Bost about her team’s adjustments.
On Thursday, March 28, the River Hawks picked up two more wins, defeating Dickinson twice by scores of 12–4 and 2–1 respectfully.
The team is currently 8-7 overall on the season and 1-1 in conference play.
Up next for the River Hawks will be a doubleheader matchup against the Moravian Greyhounds on Saturday, March 30. The two games will be played on Sassafras Field in Selinsgrove at 1 pm and 3 pm respectively.