RWU softball hosted the United States Coast Guard Academy this past week on Wednesday, March 20 for a double-header home opener. Trudging through cold temperatures, off-and-on rain, and blistering wind, the Hawks swept the games with a score of 6-2 in the first and 8-4 in the second.
In the first game, freshman Reagan Germano pitched 4 innings with six strikeouts to secure the win. The first run of the game was scored by freshman Hayley Williams after sophomore Jamie Wells opened the offensive with an RBI (run batted in), and they continued to score four runs in the first inning.
“We definitely have a lot of talent and a lot of resources for this year. I think that we’re going to have a really great year,” said freshman Christina Denovellis. “We’re number one in the CCC [Commonwealth Coast Conference], I think as long as we just keep playing together, we’re going to look great.”
With two RBIs from Williams and Denovellis, the Hawks added two more runs in the sixth inning to end the first game at 6-2.
Freshman pitcher, Skye Merrow won the second game after pitching five innings with one earned run, no walks, and one strikeout.
Also, freshman Shannon Starratt gave the Hawks an early lead in the offensive department.
According to Denovellis, the keys to winning are: “Start early at hitting. Comparing offensive and defense, the offense is our struggle point.”
“We hear a lot of attacking pitches like, don’t wait until you get deep within the count, look for the first strike. I think defensively we play really well most of the time,” said Denovellis. “It’s just offensively we have to go and attack and that’s how we’ll win games.”
Following a sacrifice fly by junior Taylor Howell allowed Starratt to score again and drove the Hawks to their fourth straight run with RBIs from freshmen Cece Baptista and Kayleigh O’Connor. Merrow singled again with two RBIs, driving home O’Connor and Baptista and adding two more runs to the Hawks’ total, finishing the game 8-4.
“It’s important to get on top. Obviously, when you’re losing or you’re down a run in the first inning, it can put a lot of pressure on your pitcher to play good or not walk anyone. So, when you’re up in runs, you can give up a run,” Denovellis said.
The Hawks will play another doubleheader against Nichols College on Saturday, March 30 at noon and 2:00.
