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Softball ready for playoffs
BY KJESTINE STEINBRING
STATESMAN STAFF WRITER
iISSUE: 78/29
With the weather still refusing to concede to spring, the UMD women’s softball team’s games in the Minnesota State University/Microtel Inn and Suites Classic didn’t start until Sunday. The Bulldogs came away with a loss in a close game against Truman State Sunday morning and followed it up in the afternoon with a blowout of the University of Mary Marauders.
Despite the unfavorable weather, the Bulldogs were able to play at a high level. “I don’t believe weather is an issue with our team; they know that the weather is a factor we can’t control, so we try not to dwell on it,” said coach Jennifer Banford. The first game was a nail-biter, with both teams scoring in the first inning, signaling a tight game until the end. With UMD continuing to play small ball, senior Gina Zech hit a sacrifice fly to center to score junior Sonja Muck. Truman State would add their own run off a double in the first, which kept them in the game, according to the UMD Web site.
From there on out it was a defensive game, with no one giving an inch; the game remained tied at one apiece until the top of the eighth, when UMD freshman Casey Moore singled into right to score sophomore Val Hartel for the 2-1 lead. Truman State had something for UMD as well though, as they scored two of their own runs in the bottom of the eighth to put the Dogs down early in the tournament. “We left too many runners on base and didn’t capitalize on our opportunities to score,” said Banford.
The Bulldogs came fighting back in the afternoon game against University of Mary, scoring four runs in three innings, according to the Web site. Mary’s Marauders came back, scoring two of their own runs in the fourth to keep it close. UMD added another two in the sixth off base hits by Zech and junior Myriam Trepainer, giving them what would appear to be a safe 6-2 lead going into the bottom of the inning.
The Marauders scored one run that inning to try to keep up, but with the Bulldogs scoring six runs in the next inning, it was for nothing. The Bulldogs won handily 12-3. “We jumped on scoring opportunities early in the game; I think that makes our hitters more relaxed at the plate later in the game,” said Banford.
The next action for UMD will be at the North Central Conference tournament where their opponent is yet to be determined. The Bulldogs end the regular season with a record of 19-16 and look to begin their run for the conference title on May 2.
