Softball seeks first win of season

The Columbia softball team (0-4) will try to win its first game of the year over break after a rough start in the first four games of the season. The team struggled in the Virginia Cavalier Classic last weekend, losing to Delaware State and Virginia twice, including an 8-0 shutout in the final game against the Cavaliers.

During spring break, the Lions will make their annual trip to central Florida for the Rebel Games tournament from March 12th to 19th. This weekend’s doubleheader includes Lehigh and Butler on Friday, Sacred Heart and Florida A&M on Saturday, then Manhattan and Fairleigh Dickinson on Sunday. Monday, March 15th features matchups against Rider and Marist.

After taking next Tuesday off, the team finishes off their schedule with Colgate and Maryland on Wednesday, St. Peter’s and a rematch with Fairleigh Dickinson on Thursday, and Cleveland State followed by the final game against Wisconsin-Green Bay on Friday, March 19.

Through four games, the offense has relied primarily on linking together base hits to manufacture the 18 runs they have scored so far. Junior outfielder Anne Marie Skylis leads the team with a .500 batting average, hitting 6-for-12 with 3 RBI last weekend. Infielder Stephanie Yagi is 4-for-11 with an RBI and a run scored. Freshman Jennifer Bergeron is 4-for-12 with an RBI. Infielder Dani Pineda and outfielder/catcher Taylor Christie both have averages of .300 after hitting 3-for-10. Maggie Johnson leads the team with 4 RBI and has 2 of the team’s four extra base hits with a .250 (3-for-12) average.

The Lions can use the Rebel Games to improve their pitching, which gave up 54 hits and 37 earned runs in just 22 innings last weekend. Aimee Kemp has surrendered 13 hits in 5.2 innings while Johnson has allowed 21 hits and 17 earned runs in her 3 starts this year. Maureen O’Kane gave up 12 earned runs through 7 innings in her start against last weekend.

The Light Blue will also look to improve its defense by trying to cut down on the number of errors committed each game. They have already given up 10 errors against opponents through four games, good for a .912 fielding percentage.