GROVE CITY, Pa. — Lady Baron softball stayed competitive in two tough losses to Grove City College, 11-0 and 6-1. Although Franciscan wasn't able to put up many runs, the team's defense and pitching was able to push game two to a full seven innings.

After a difficult game one that saw the Wolverines no-hit the Franciscan batters, head coach Jen Parker said her team finally began to make some of the proper adjustments.

Perhaps the most important adjustment was Parker's decision to start a well rested Serra Alongi, who had only started two games this season, in at pitcher. The freshman helped FUS keep the Grove City scoring in the single digits by striking out as many batters as she walked.

"She pitched a heck of a game," Parker said. "She pitched the whole game with two strikeouts."

Franciscan also played a much tighter defensive game the second time around committing no errors. Parker said she was also pleased with a more aggressive mindset from her batters in the second game.

"We actually put the bat on the ball quite well," Parker said.

The one run for Franciscan University came off of an error by the Grove City shortstop that translated into a run for sophomore centerfielder, Illiana Gonzalez.

Despite their five runs, however, the Lady Barons were unable to capitalize on their opportunities, leaving the bases loaded at the end of the game.

"Unfortunately we left the bases load," Parker said. "I was really hopeful that we were going to score a few more runs and come back and win that game."

Prior to the start of both games, Parker said that she purposefully did not look at her opponents record in hopes that it would keep her team more focused on their own game.

"I made a point of not looking at their record before we went into the game," Parker said. "Because it seems that every time we go in knowing what the other team is capable of and if we actually think we have a chance to beat them we kind of collapse."

Parker said she thought the tactic helped her girls play more loose and relaxed.

"They came in not really knowing, and just with the intention to play softball," Parker said. "And that definitely helped with their head game a lot, really not knowing where the runs were coming in. We're trying to take a different approach and I think it definitely helped us mentally for this game."

Parker said that she intends to carry this approach over as her team prepares for a home game Wednesday, April 21 against Bethany College at 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.