IN THE BLEACHERS: Frosh lead Quakers

Pitching 11 innings against Delaware Saturday, freshman Vicki Moore did everything she could to get the first win of her college career. But the win slipped through her clutches and she had nothing to show for her nearly perfect performance. Bearing the weight of the team's win-loss record, the softball pitcher is constantly under immense pressure to perform. With batters ready to capitalize on each imperfection, every pitch is a battle that is either lost or won on the scoreboard. For a seasoned upperclassman, this pressure is tempered by experience -- for a freshman it can be overwhelming. However, Penn's starting pitchers Melanie Bolt and Vicki Moore have been able to set aside the pressure in exchange for the exhilaration of controlling play in their first year of college softball. "There is always pressure to perform," coach Linda Carothers said. "Everything filters back to the pitcher -- the good, the bad and the ugly. Many people [weigh the outcome] on whether the pitcher had a good day or a bad day." "Melanie and Vicki are great with pressure," Carothers continued. "They don't let the pressure get inside. They know what they have to do and they are able to get it done?.It's really a credit to their character." Both pitchers came to Penn after playing four years of varsity softball in high school and summer leagues, so they are more experienced than it would seem. However the initial transition took some getting used to. "It was hard at first, but softball is softball if you are good enough to step up," Bolt said. "I think the big difference is that it's more intellectual. The batters you face are that much better. If you throw the wrong thing, they are going to kill it." In addition, the pitchers can count on experienced catcher senior Stacey Thompson behind the plate to call the pitches as well as the defensive back-up the rest of the team is providing. "I feel a lot of support from the rest of the team," Bolt said. "I am really confident in the defense." In yesterday's doubleheader with Villanova, Moore finally got her first win of the season. Pitching the ball faster than the speed limit, she struck out three while allowing only five hits. Moore's strengths are her control, speed and versatility. "Vicki knows how to to keep the ball down," Carothers said. "Vicki throws a nice pitch?.She can control the ball." Moore has been the starting pitcher in the first game of every doubleheader Penn has played this season. Traditionally, each team puts in its top pitcher for the first game. Until yesterday, Penn had never won the first game. Unfortunately for Moore, the scores have not reflected the kind of performance her statistics merit. "Throwing the first game all the time, I can get discouraged," Moore said. "I don't see it as a good game if it is not a win. But I know it's only going to make me better." On the mound, Moore likes to keep the other team guessing with a variety of pitches in her repertoire. "I move the ball around a lot," Moore said. "I'm not a dominating fastball pitcher, I have a different amount of pitches. I try to hit corners, trying not to give them anything solid." Coming out of the spring break training trip in Florida, Bolt led Penn with a 2.33 ERA. She has pitched in every game Penn has won. "Melanie is also a control pitcher," Carothers said. "She's not as fast as Vicki, but she is still as effective because of the control she has." Bolt's advantage is her consistency and ability to maintain focus in any situation. "I'm able to keep a calm head," Bolt said. "When I come in to relieve and it's a tough situation, I'm able to keep control." With consistent performances in the beginning of the season, the freshmen have filled a void in the injured pitching staff. They have also given the Quakers an advantage because most teams do not know what to expect from the duo. Unlike other pitchers, most batters are hitting against them for the first time. "Nobody knows them," Carothers said. "One time around it's an advantage -- but the second time around they better be better. All I want is consistency with them." Because the pitchers have distinctly different styles -- Bolt is left-handed -- they also pack a powerful punch when they relieve each other. "Most teams take a few innings to adjust to the relief ," Moore said. "All our pitches come in the opposite way." Leading the team on the mound, Moore and Bolt are holding a piece of the future for Penn softball in their fastball.