After losing a close game to Lafeyette 6-5 in the first half of its doubleheader, the Penn softball team had the last word, rallying to take the second game 5-0.
Penn's first game was plagued by defensive miscues. The Quakers (8-6) committed a total of four errors that cost them five unearned runs.
"In the first game, we didn't get beat, we beat ourselves," third baseman Julia Cheney said. "It just wasn't our game."
Despite the numerous mistakes, the team did not dwell on them and was ready for the Leopards (6-6) in the second game.
"I think it's all about being mentally prepared for the next game and getting pumped up and coming out on fire," said senior Stephanie Reichert, a key factor in Penn's offense. "We knew we couldn't take them lightly and we stepped up our game."
After four innings of scoreless play, Cheney was the first to step up. With a 1-2 count, she slammed a rise ball to left center for a home run.
"I was just trying to get on base in that situation," Cheney said. "The score was 0-0, so you just want to get baserunners so other people can make things happen."
The home run seemed to relax the team's offense. In the sixth inning, after a leadoff single by Annie Kinsey, a double by Reichert and a walk by Christina Khosravi, Cheney drove Kinsey and Reichert home with a single up the middle. Cheney would get caught trying for second to end the inning.
In the seventh, the Quakers blew the game open with two more runs. After a bunt single by Keiko Uraguchi and a double to left field by Kaelin Ainley, both scored when Reichert grounded up the middle past the second baseman.
Senior Olivia Mauro got the win in the second game in the bottom of the sixth. After Kristen Ruckno of Lafayette was hit by a pitch, King pulled the trigger and brought in her closer, Erin Boyle. Boyle preserved the shutout by getting a fly-out double play.
"I just wanted to finish the job that Liv started," Boyle said.
With an emphatic win under its belt, the team kicks off its Ivy League season this weekend against Columbia. While the Quakers are eager to start their season, they have some work to do.
"Clearly our defensive effort has been really erratic and I think that's more of a mental thing than a physical thing," King said. "It's not like we can't play catch."
King also felt like the long layoff due to inclement weather affected her team's rhythm.
"We had an eight-day break which isn't really ideal," King said. "It takes a little while to get in the swing with your hitting and I think that showed today. We didn't hit the ball particularly well in the first game but very well in the second game."
Overall, however, King was very pleased with the total team effort and the team is very confident heading into its Ivy season opener.
Cheney simply said, "If we have all our hitters hitting and our defense playing their top game, there's nobody that can beat us."
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
DonatePlease note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.
