STEUBENVILLE—Two weeks ago was the last time the Lady Baron softball team played a game. One month ago was the first time the Lady Barons faced the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg when the game was postponed in the top of the sixth inning due to weather. Facing a 4-1 deficit, Franciscan University continued the long awaited match Thursday afternoon, falling 7-4. The Lady Barons went on to lose game two of the doubleheader 11-2.
"We hit today," said head coach Terry Leighty. "So we're encouraged by that. But we still can't find any consistency on defense and that's hurting us. Still, I feel that the girls played well, especially after a one week hiatus."
The Lady Barons did show vast improvement offensively in game one, with nine hits on the game. Brianna Antrim went 3-4 with two runs. Shortstop Rebecca Peters went 2-2 with one run and one RBI, while Lara Plumlee joined the lineup off the mound by going 2-3 and driving in two more runs. The four runs scored are the most by the Lady Barons since April 6, in a 17-5 loss to Penn State Altoona. The seven runs allowed is the lowest total against Franciscan since the first game of the season, a 5-1 loss to Macalester College during spring training. Plumlee absorbed the loss, pitching a complete game with five earned runs and 10 hits.
In game two, Franciscan continued to hit—tallying eight—but could not get home, scoring only two runs. Antrim again was the offensive star going 2-3, including a double. Plumlee also went 2-3 and scored one run, while Peters, Erin Gulick, Amanda Ruwart, and Catherine Durand all registered hits of their own. Antrim lasted one inning on the mound, giving up four earned runs before Plumlee came in for relief, giving up the remaining seven runs. The Panthers hit two homeruns to boost their offense to an 11-2 victory.
There will be little time to rest for Franciscan as they prepare to hit the road Friday to face the Mounties of Mt. Aloysius College. The Lady Barons stand at 1-23, still in search of their first victory since spring training. The first pitch is set for 3 p.m.
