Marist 7, Sweet Home 0
The Huskies softball team opened its season with a 7-0 loss to Marist on the road on March 18.
“First game of the season, we showed some mental toughness early in the game when we made a few mistakes and battled out of tough situations,” Coach Steve Hummer said. “Unfortunately, we committed four errors in the sixth that led to three runs and made the score 7-0. We were in this game, but our lack of experience and a tough opponent really cost us.
“Megan Rubidoux played great defense in her first varsity game as a frosh and Emili Riggs got her first varsity hit off last year’s 4A pitcher of the year, a double that one-hopped the fence. Laura Gourley had an outfield assist, and the outfield in general played very well.”
At the plate, Bayli Riggs and Emili Riggs each doubled, and Shelbey Gillespie added a hit.
“We struck out 16 times, which was disappointing, but facing one of the very best pitchers there is in the state had a lot to do with that,” Hummer said. “She really has control of her pitches, has an excellent curve ball and great velocity. We expect to do better and score some runs. We did not execute some bunts in key situations that would have gotten us a couple of runs early in the game and made a game of it.
“Overall it was a positive start for us despite the loss. I think the girls can see if we eliminate the mistakes, we can play with and beat very good teams.
Sweet Home 000 000 0 €“ 0 3
Marist 120 013 x €“ 7 7 1
Sweet Home 5, Regis 2
The Huskies looked much better the next day, defeating Regis 5-2 at home.
Against Marist, they looked a little tense, Hummer said. “We looked a lot better. We didn’t kick the ball around. We looked a lot more relaxed. We played a lot better.”
Tasha Saunders was the starting pitcher. In five innings, she struck out three batters and gave up two hits and a walk. Bayli Riggs pitched the last two innings.
At bat, Gillespie went 3-3 with two doubles and three RBIs. Laura Gourley went 2-2.
Rubidoux made some great defensive plays, Hummer said, and she had two hits.
Regis had a total of three hits with one error. Sweet Home had eight hits and two errors.