The Elizabethtown College softball team kept it close in both games of their doubleheader on Saturday, April 20 against Wilkes University but would fall short in both games. The weekend series saw the Blue Jays dominate on the mound in both games, but the bats were unable to come up big on the offensive end, getting shutout, 1-0 and 2-0. These two losses hurt in the grand scheme of things, as this late in the season, losses to Landmark Conference opponents are detrimental to their postseason hopes. Sitting at 8-18, Etown will have to lock in down the stretch in order to end the season on a high note.
Game one of the doubleheader saw senior starting pitcher Cierra Kunkle take the hill, and she would silence the Wilkes offense. While the numbers weren’t flashy, walking two and striking out none, she got the job done. By the end of it, she went six strong innings, allowing four hits and just one run, which would be unearned, in her complete game bid.
“My spin on the ball was very tight throughout the game and Wilkes had a hard time hitting my rise,” Kunkle said, “and the defense had my back the entire seven innings which made for easy 1-2-3 innings.”
Unfortunately, the Blue Jays strung together just two hits in Saturday’s opener. The hits wouldn’t come until late, when in the seventh, second-year infielder Maddie Reever got the Blue Jays’ first base-knock of the day, lacing one to left field. Then, with two down and one out to play with, first-year right fielder Rachel Allen kept the rally going with a single to left of her own. That’d be all she wrote though, as the Blue Jays fell short 1-0, stranding two runners on base.
Game two was much of the same story. This time, it was second-year Mikaela Benner going all six innings for the Jays. She’d strike out two, and while she’d allow two earned runs in the third, she kept her team in striking distance throughout the afternoon. In the sixth, two runners reached base, but Benner would keep Wilkes at bay, getting their pinch hitter to ground into a force out, capping off a strong day.
The second game of the day was a slightly better performance from Etown’s offense as they tallied three hits but were once again unable to come away with anything to show for it. First-year second baseman Skye Zolomij led the way for Etown, going two-for-three from the middle of the order with two singles. Second-year catcher Haley Nedo also joined the fun with a leadoff single to right in the third. Following the single, first-year third baseman Courtney Oliver reached base following an error. This would be Etown’s best chance of the game with two on and no outs, but Wilke’s starter would strike out a couple to hold Etown off, and eventually earn a win.
While it wasn’t the result the Blue Jays wanted, the strong pitching performances against one of the Landmark’s top teams could suggest a strong finish to the season is on the horizon. Kunkle offered her insight on what the team wants to improve on, as they inch towards the end of the season.
“We’re trying to focus on being more selective with what pitches we swing at offensively,” she said. “I think in this series we definitely improved on that aspect but are focusing on getting even more selective at the plate as we move forward with these last few games.”
With just eight games to go, Etown will hope to finish the season strong. They’ll have a six game home stretch through April, before they head to Scranton, Pa. for their last two games of the season on Saturday, May 4. With a 3-3 record at The Nest, playing in front of the home fans could be exactly what the doctor ordered for the Blue Jays, as the team looks to stay competitive in Landmark Conference play.
“Our energy is the highest knowing our families and friends are there to support us and we love hearing our walk-up and pitching songs,” Kunkle said. “We certainly have a special spark when playing at home and hopefully that will ignite in these six final home games.”
