Ladycat Comeback Tops Reagan in Home Opener

The much anticipated Ladycat softball season opener took place Friday night at “Water Tower Field” amidst frigid temperatures and heavily-bundled fans. With both of Glenn’s preseason scrimmage outings and the first regular season game against Western Guilford cancelled because of inclement weather and soggy field conditions, the youngest Ladycat team since the 2001 season took the field with several new players in new positions.

Initial observations indicated that there was much improvement to be made. What wasn’t clear was that climb toward success would begin to be accomplished within the 7-inning time frame against the Reagan Raiders.

The Ladycats got off to an incredibly rocky start in a first inning that included five walks, two hit batters, and three fielding errors. Reagan added one hit to the mix and took full advantage of each of the Glenn miscues and scored a rare seven unearned runs in the top of the first inning. Glenn was able to score lead-off hitter Samantha Stilling in the bottom of the inning to cut the margin to 7-1, but Reagan used a single by Sarah Cummings, a sacrifice bunt by Christine Slate-Kimel, and still another Ladycat error to push across two runs in the top of the 2nd inning to make the score 9-1…then the comeback started.

The Glenn defense tightened up, relief pitcher Michaela Smith scattered four hits over the next five innings, and the Ladycat bats came alive as they pounded out 12 hits and 12 runs from the 2nd through the 6th innings. Reagan added a single run in the top half of the 7th inning to make the final score: Glenn-13 Reagan-10.

Reagan was led offensively by Erika Rodriguez, Sarah Cummings, and Jessica MacWilliams who each had two hits apiece.

For Glenn, Samantha Stilling did an admirable job of filling in for the Ladycat’s regular lead-off hitter, Heather Burton, who was unable to play due to an illness. Stilling was 3-3, scored 4 runs, stole 5 bases, and knocked in a run along with making a spectacular game saving diving catch in short right centerfield.

The always dependable Tracy Haynes came through in critical game moments by delivering two 2-out doubles to knock in two runs in the 2nd and two more runs in the 5th inning. For the game she was 3-3, scored 2 runs, had 5 RBI, and of course those brilliant base running skills were also on display as she swiped an extra base three different times.

Catcher Taylor Strassburg, shortstop Caitlin Parker, and 3rd baseman Breanna Murphy had two hits apiece to round out an explosive and necessary offensive display.

Photos by Glenn Hurd:

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