By Mel Barracato, Staff Writer
Susquehanna’s softball team suffered two devastating losses to No. 24 Moravian College on Saturday, Mar. 30 at home. The River Hawks lost 11–3 in game one and 11–1 in game two.
The Greyhounds opened up the scoring in the top of the first and would hold the River Hawks scoreless until the third inning. Five runs scored in the second inning to boost Moravian’s lead to 6–0, and their lead would increase through the third as Moravian scored two more runs with an RBI and another run scored.
Sophomore infielder Kody Streeter put the River Hawks on the board in the third inning with a homer to right center field. The towering shot was also her first career home run and drove home three RBI’s.
“I knew as soon as it came off the bat,” Streeter said. “Hitting a ball that solid is one of my favorite feelings.”
The Greyhounds did not flinch however, and brought home two more runs off a double and a single. Moravian capped the game after six innings with a homer of their own that brought in one last run to finalize the score at 11–3.
Moravian scored 11 runs off 19 hits, including nine extrabase hits, while Susquehanna totaled seven hits in the first battle of the afternoon. Senior pitcher and captain Alexa Gonzalez recorded the loss for this game, giving up five runs in 1.2 innings which brings her record to 4–3 on the season. Each team had one error during the contest.
Junior outfielder and captain Kasey Bost went 2–3 with two singles, while senior outfielder Jill Ahrens also went 2–3 with two singles of her own. Junior outfielder Emily Lear went 1–3 with a single off a bunt.
In game two, the Greyhounds started the scoring in the second inning with two RBI doubles, an RBI single, and an RBI ground out to put themselves ahead 5–0.
Sophomore outfielder Katherine Fahsbender got the River Hawks on the scoreboard with her first-career triple to right field to bring home senior infielder Jackie Gore. Fahsbender’s RBI would be Susquehanna’s lone scoring play in the contest.
The Greyhounds proceeded to crank three more runs in the top of the third off freshman pitcher Katie Murphy, increasing their lead to 8–1. After two Greyhound players reached base on two separate singles, junior Lauren Goetz blasted a shot to center field that soared over the fence and brought all three runs home.
Sophomore Gabby Bubba stepped in to pitch in the fourth and would hold the Greyhounds scoreless until the top of the sixth, when a double and a triple resulted in three total RBI’s to again end the contest early.
Bost went 3-3 with two doubles and a single, now one away from her 100th hit. Sophomore infielder Madison Lane went 1-3 in the contest with a single to left field. Murphy took the loss after giving up eight runs on eight hits in three innings.
The River Hawks are now 8-8 on the season and 1-2 in conference play. Susquehanna returns to action on Saturday, April 6 when they head on the road to face Elizabethtown. The Blue Jays are currently 7-15 (0-4 in conference play).
“The team did a good job at staying positive throughout both games, but we need to work on not putting so much pressure on ourselves and play the game we know,” Streeter said.
Last season, Susquehanna had success against the Blue Jays, winning both games in their season series by scores of 10–6 and 3–0. Players that were crucial in both those wins last season will be returning this season.
Gonzalez picked up a win against Elizabethtown last year, allowing just one earned run in her 5.2 innings pitched.
Jackie Gore also recorded a hit, a run and an RBI in last season’s stint against the Blue Jays and Lear scored three runs off just one hit and added an RBI to her statline.
As Susquehanna looks to get back to their winning ways, they will have to rely not only on their veteran leadership, but also the vast amount of young talent the team has stockpiled. Sophomores Fahsbender and Brooke Wiarda have given the River Hawks a lift not only with their bats, but with their gloves as well.