BRIEF | Tough Florida trip for Penn softball

There was not much time for relaxing during spring break for the Penn softball team.

The Quakers traveled to Florida and played a total of 13 games in an eight-day period. The first five games were a part of the UCF Spring Fling Tournament in Orlando, Fla.

Even though the team finished with a 1-4 record in these contests, there were a number of bright spots for the Quakers. Senior Samantha Erosa had a total of seven hits in Orlando, while also driving in a couple of runs.

One of the highlights for Penn was the first game of the tournament, when the team won, 7-2, against Connecticut. Taking advantage of solid starting pitching from senior Lindsay Mann and some defensive miscues of the Huskies, the Quakers were able to take the lead and not look back. Additionally, freshman Lauren Li earned her first career save in her collegiate debut.

Even though the spring started off strong, following games displayed some of the team’s weakness that the Quakers will need to address this season.

In the fourth game of the Spring Fling Tournament, the Quakers took on UCF, and fell by a final score of 3-0.

Although sophomore Alexis Borden pitched well enough to win, only giving up three runs in six innings of work, the Quakers offense could not bail her out.

In the top of the fourth, the Red and Blue loaded the bases with only one out after a couple of singles and an error, but failed to capitalize, following with a strikeout and groundout.

The Quakers offense during the spring was a bit sporadic, as they were unable to take advantage of situations with runners in scoring position.

In their next eight games over the break, the team only came away with a 3-5 record. The Quakers were at their best when their offense was working on all cylinders, winning two straight against Holy Cross and Sacred Heart with a total of 17 runs scored.

After this two-game stretch, though, the team went on to drop five of their next six contests, in which they were held to at most two runs in their losing matchups, which included a shutout at the hands of Tennessee-Martin.

Offensive consistency will be a key for Penn softball this year, and coach Leslie King will certainly look to improve an overall 4-9 spring break record as the team heads back to Philadelphia.

SEE ALSO

Penn softball hopes to earn respect

Melendez, Erosa play for Puerto Rican softball team

Softball caps season with a loss to Harvard in the Ivy Championship series

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.