Arizona a learning experience for softball

By: Ian VanAnden
Sports Editor

While the rest of us were enjoying spring break bliss, the softball team was enjoying beautiful weather and stiff competition on their trip to Arizona. The team went 2-6 in their eight games in Arizona, and Coach Kari Shimmin said, “I would have liked to see us go 4-4.”

The Scots lost their first game in Arizona against Marian College of Wisconsin, 8-3. Contributing to the loss were the three errors Monmouth committed. Freshman Valerie Mitchell commented that the team needed to work on eliminating their errors.

Monmouth was able to right the ship in their second game, winning 8-0 over Medaille. It was Mitchell’s performance on the mound which propelled the Scots to victory. She went six strong innings, allowing no runs, only four hits and struck out one. The freshman’s performance was a highlight of the trip. In this game, the Scots eliminated their errors, committing none.

The next three games ended with MC losses as the team hit a low point in the road trip. In the three-game losing streak, the Scots committed 12 errors. In their 7-2 loss to St. Scholastica, Monmouth committed six errors.

To end their losing streak, Monmouth once again met up with and beat Medaille. This time the Scots won 14-7. Another Monmouth pitcher, sophomore Sarah Christensen, had a noteworthy performance. Christensen allowed five runs off 10 hits in six innings. In her six innings of work, she had four strikeouts and one walk.

Monmouth then struggled through another three-game losing streak. This included a heart-wrenching 2-1 loss in eight innings. In the eight-inning affair, both Christensen and Mitchell pitched for the Scots.

Christensen started and threw five impressive innings, allowing only one unearned run. Mitchell then followed Christensen and went three strong and also allowed one unearned run. Again, it was errors which nipped Monmouth as it was the two errors they committed which allowed for the two runs to score.

This loss concluded the team’s trip to Arizona with expectations left unmet. There were some positives to bring home from Arizona. Senior outfielder Drew Robinson returned to Illinois hitting over .600. Emily Willems, a junior captain, was a standout performer, according to Shimmin. Senior Jackie Hennenfent, another captain, was also solid in her coach’s opinion.

Monmouth returned home and dropped one of two against MacMurray College. The win in the second game of the double-header snapped the Scots’ three-game losing streak. MC fell in the opening game by a score of 2-1. Then, in the second game, Monmouth roared back, winning 5-3.

The Scots have just begun their season, but have high hopes for the rest of the season. Shimmin said, “It is a young season…we can compete in the non-conference schedule and get ready for conference.” She is equally excited about the freshman class, “They are very strong with great pitching.”

The three top new contributors are Mitchell, Kembra Bell and Brooke Dean. Bell plays third base for Monmouth and is one of the team’s top hitters. Dean is very strong and plays multiple outfield positions.

Of the freshmen class, Hennenfent said, “I am really excited about the freshmen, they have all stepped up and have become part of the team.”

The Scots have three captains, which include seniors Katie Hamilton and Hennefent, as well as Willems.

Monmouth now has three straight home double-headers. On Saturday, March 24, MC will host Eureka College. They will follow that up with a two-game stint on Tuesday, March 27 against Illinois Wesleyan University. They will finish out the homestand against Augustana College on Thursday, March 29.