Sports

Softball hits stride vs. Cazenovia

By Joe Jensen '15

The Hamilton College softball team is known for their defensive prowess, but it is beginning to make a splash offensively.

Since April 2 they have produced 61 runs over the course of only eight games. During those eight games, the team picked up four wins, more than doubling their total for the season.

The Continentals put up 23 runs against Morrisville State College in only five innings. Currently, the team is ranked second in the conference with nine home runs, just two shy of the 2011 school record of 11 homeruns in a single season.

Captain Ellie Kiernan ’15 attributed the offensive growth to becoming “more comfortable and confident at the plate.” She also stressed the importance of, “hitting late in the count,” saying, “that’s definitely something we’ve improved on a lot.”

The team reached their stride during their recent series against Cazenovia. They were feeling it at the plate in the two game stint as they accumulated 26 hits, 10 of which were extra-base hits. Leading the way was Gozdz ’16, Butler ’17 and Kiernan.

Gozdz had five hits and seven RBIs, including three doubles and a home run. Butler and Kiernan each hit their first homerun of the season.

However, these were not just offensively dominated games. In the first game, Leonard ’15 struck out seven batters on her way to a sixth career shutout.

In game two, St. Jarre ’15 and Staab ’17 put together a gem, giving up only two hits and one earned run between them.

With two wins over Cazenovia, the Continentals now have seven wins on the season. They will try to add to this total in the coming weeks. One player who will be looked upon to keep up her output is Becca Butler ’17.

Kiernan, whose mid-season surge has greatly benefited the team, stated, “Butler has emerged as one of the leaders on the team as a freshman. While her outstanding fielding has often sparked the team in times of need, I think her hitting is understatedly strong.”

She has already produced two home runs this season while batting over .400.

Kiernan also praised Butler as “a great teammate in that she helps to ground other players. She definitely hustles more than anyone on the team!”

The team heads to Vermont this weekend for a NESCAC matchup against Middlebury.

When asked what will lead to a successful trip, Kiernan said, “We have to keep our bats hot and play our type of defensive game, which puts us above a lot of teams we play. We need to go into the series with lots of confidence and no fear.”

If they do just that, they will give the Panthers a competitive series and could greatly alter the standings.

Middlebury is currently tied for first in the NESCAC West with Williams and will be trying to distance themselves from the rest of the conference.

Hamilton will look to make a statement against a top conference foe. The Continentals have been eliminated from NESCAC playoff contention, but still have an opportunity to exceed their conference win total from 2012.

The Continentals will then have an eight-game home stand, with games against SUNY Oswego, Skidmore College and Amherst. Hamilton finishes its season with a double-header on April 27 at St. Lawrence.

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