Coming off a Mid-Central College Conference series against Grace College where both games went extra innings, the Goshen College softball team was swept 9-0, 8-7 in a doubleheader on Thursday against the Pumas of Saint Joseph’s College of Indiana.
The Pumas smashed through Goshen’s defense, scoring three runs in the first inning of game one. The Maple Leafs failed to bring in any runs as the Pumas rallied for six more runs in the third inning for a nine run lead. The Pumas held on for a 9-0 win in game one.“For some reason, we were just not in the game from the get-go,” said Maple Leafs Coach Lee Mast. “But game two was the complete opposite.”
Threatening a repeat of game one, Saint Joseph’s jumped into the first inning of game town with four runs, including a three-run home run hit by Brittnie Boerema, a Puma first-year. The Maple Leafs broke through with a run in the fourth inning care of a two-run single by catcher Liz Berg, a first year. The Pumas pulled ahead with four more runs, boosting them to an 8-2 lead.
In the top of the seventh inning, the Maple Leafs found their opportunity. With two walks and one error, the Leafs loaded the bases. Jessica Reed, a first-year, crushed a grand slam to left field, cutting the Pumas’ lead to 8-6. “I could tell right when [Reed] cranked it that it was gone,” Coach Mast said.
The Maple Leafs pulled in one more run before the Pumas put an end to their comeback efforts and pulled out an 8-7 win. Goshen College now has a record of 4-14-1 overall and 1-2-1 in the M.C.C.
The Maple Leafs return to action on Friday, hosting a doubleheader against the Rochester College Warriors at 4 p.m.
