By Natalie Hanna · Staff Writer
The Grove City women’s softball team began their northern schedule with two wins from a doubleheader against Carlow last Friday. They won their first game by a large margin, 19-4, and then added another victory in the nightcap, bringing the team to an overall record of 8-2.
Freshman DP Cora Myers had a double and two singles in the opener, driving in three runs, while senior catcher Kristin Tesch recorded a pair of doubles. Senior center fielder Noel Anthony, junior left fielder Evelyn Montone and junior first baseman Alexis Jackson all doubled and singled, and sophomore right fielder Sydney McBride went 2-for-4.
The Wolverines gained control by scoring six runs in the top of the fourth inning. Contributing to the inning were Tesch, Anthony, Montone and sophomore second baseman Alivia Lantzy, each recording an RBI double. Jackson also added a two-run double to give them a 9-2 lead.
The team proceeded to add 10 more runs in the sixth, ultimately bringing them to the victory.
Eight of the team’s nine offensive starters posted at least two hits, summing Grove City’s total hits to 22. Both Lantzy and junior pitcher Abigail Meadors went four for five in game one, Lantzy with three doubles and five RBIs and Meadors with a double and two runs. Meadors also received the win after allowing only two earned runs and seven hits. She struck out five batters in six innings.
The Wolverines were exceptional in stringing hits together and staying aggressive on the base paths, taking any extra bases when they got the chance.
“We work a lot on being consistent, not only in our offense and defense but also in our energy. That consistency really showed on Friday,” Anthony said.
In the seventh inning of the second game, a single from freshman third baseman Emma Vok brought Jackson in, breaking a 3-3 tie. Freshman second baseman Erin Timmes later singled in Vok, bringing the score to 5-3.
Pitcher Lantzy induced a game-ending double play in the bottom of the seventh inning after Carlow put the tying run on base. Lantzy struck out six batters and allowed two earned runs.
Jackson led the offensive effort in the nightcap with a career-best 4-for-4 showing, tallying four singles, two runs and an RBI. Vok went 2-for-3, while Timmes and sophomore catcher Sydney Shay each went 2-for-4. In addition, Anthony and freshman shortstop Lily Meidl each contributed a double to Grove City’s total 14 hits.
“The team was super excited to get two more wins on Friday night! We are super grateful we got the ability to play and glorify God through it all!” Lantzy said. “This definitely gives us confidence moving forward, but also, we are reminded to not be content with where we are currently. There is always room for improvement, and we can look at each game even if we win and learn from our mistakes to get better.”
After playing two doubleheaders this past week against W&J and Thiel, the Wolverines will return to action tomorrow to play Waynesburg. The game will begin at 1 p.m., in Waynesburg, Pa.
