Softball team completes best season in eight years
by Brandon Leibsohn '10Four wins in the final seven games of the season propelled the Lady Continentals to their best softball season in eight years. Ending the season with a series win against NESCAC opponent Middlebury College served only to strengthen the case that the softball team has reemerged and will be a force in the league next season. With no hope of making it into the postseason tournament, the team could have simply bowed down to their opponent. However, the Continentals were not prepared to conclude their season on a low note.
Last Friday, Hamilton came out with their bats swinging away. They took an early two run lead on Middlebury and were not discouraged after surrendering a run in the bottom of the fourth inning to make it a one run game. The fifth inning may have been the most productive of the entire season, as the Continentals collected five hits and capitalized on four errors to score seven times. Even more impressive was the fact that they left only one runner on base indicating that they were very productive with runners in scoring position.
Starting second baseman Kelly Fitzsimmons '10 scored twice and stole a base in the winning effort. Liz Farrington '10 reached base three times and scored on two of her trips around the bases.
The next day held a lot in store for Hamilton with a double header to round out the season. After coming out a bit flat in the first game and only losing by one run, the team was determined to beat Middlebury in the second game of the day. In the first inning, the team was able to grind out two runs off of three singles. They were able to efficiently lay down a sacrifice bunt and hit a grounder to the second base side allowing the second runner to come home. These two runs were all the team needed in its 8-1 finale.
Megan Coughlin '09 and Erin Hoener '10 pitched out of a couple of jams without having to rely on striking the batters out. Hoener came in during the middle of the fifth inning and forced a double play to end Middlebury's rally. Offensively, the team had seven players getting a hit and the middle of the order drove in five runs. Jen Sadowsky '08 completed her collegiate career with a double and two runs batted in.
On April 16, the Continentals were on the road to play St. Lawrence for a double header. These two games may have turned the season around because the team was able to get out a four game slump and reenergize itself. In a rare nighttime doubleheader, the team came out and dominated their opponents in both games.
In the first game, the team used timely hitting and patience at the plate to earn a 4-1 victory. When the game got close in the seventh inning, Hamilton went out and scored two runs to give itself a nice cushion for its star pitcher. Coughlin was lights out in this game, as she allowed only four batters to reach base. She also struck out four batters in her two-hit performance.
The second game of the series turned into a pitchers duel. Both teams only gave up five hits apiece and the game headed into the final inning tied at 0-0. The Continentals used their speed on the base paths to get a runner to second base and eventually score on a single by Farrington. This was all Coughlin needed to shut down St. Lawrence.
Overall, the season turned out to be very successful. A seven game turnaround from last year was impressive and it should lead to even more improvement next year when only one senior will be lost. Amber O'Connor '09 had another productive year, as she led the team in many of the offensive categories. Her 31 hits, 20 runs scored, and 17 runs batted in all were the best on the team. With her back in the fold next year, she has a chance to break a few more school records. Coughlin pitched in all but three games during the season and she turned into a bonafide number one ace.
With most of the core returning next year in addition to the infuse of some new talent, the team has to be looking forward to opening up next year with the belief that they will be good enough to challenge any team in the NESCAC for the crown.