Softball swept by McDaniel, falls to third in conference
Caption: Junior Katie Lang prepares to throw the ball to a teammate. (Photo courtesy of David Sinclair)
By Caitlin Shubick, Staff Writer
In a match-up between the best offensive team in the Centennial Conference and the best pitching staff, pitching proved to be the decisive factor as Gettysburg fell to McDaniel College on Saturday, managing just four hits in their two losses.
The victories for McDaniel move them closer to the No. 1 seed and the honor of hosting the conference playoffs in just two weeks. Gettysburg lost the first game 9-0 and the second game 2-0, which tied them with Ursinus College for third place in the conference standings with just two games remaining.
The Bullets started off the weekend hitting .348, but their offensive momentum was tripped up by McDaniel’s pitching ace, Caroline Brehm, who allowed just four hits and one walk, while striking out 20 Bullets in McDaniel’s weekend sweep.
Junior Katie Lang and Sophomore Abby Ferguson powered the Bullets offense, each going 2-for-4. Ferguson generated Gettysburg’s lone extra-base hit with a lead-off double in the first game, but McDaniel’s ace followed up with two strikeouts and then a fly-out to close the first game.
A player from McDaniel smacked a grand slam in the third inning, followed by a three-run shot in the fifth inning to end the game in five-innings in favor of McDaniel.
McDaniel continued with their offensive momentum in the night game, recording a two-run home run in the first inning, which would account for the only runs of the game.
Lang connected for her second base hit in the third inning of the second game, but McDaniel’s Brehm retired the next 15 Gettysburg batters, seven of which were strikeouts.
First-Year Lindsey Treanor pitched well in the night game, but incurred her first loss in conference play. She allowed two runs on four hits and recorded two strikeouts.
Gettysburg was supposed to face Salisbury at home this Saturday, April 26, but the game has been postponed and the reschedule date is still pending.
The Centennial Conference Tournament kicks off on May 5 and times and locations are to be announced.
