The softball team continued its conference schedule this past weekend, dropping two out of three games against Army West Point.
Game one of Sunday’s doubleheader saw the Leopards (1-5 Patriot League, 8-24 overall) on the receiving end of a Black Knight (2-1 Patriot League, 16-18 overall) no-hitter, putting only two on base all game. Army took a 3-0 lead after the first inning and never looked back, cruising to a 6-0 victory. Sophomore pitcher Jordan Goedel took the loss, allowing two earned runs in four innings.
Junior pitcher Parker Rowden took the circle for game two of Sunday’s doubleheader, allowing just four hits and striking out four in a complete game shutout to rebound from the loss earlier in the day.
“I really just tried to let go of any scary thoughts and play free,” Rowden said. “Just trusting my teammates and letting them do their thing.”
After being held scoreless through five innings, the Leopards broke through for the game’s sole run in the sixth. With junior outfielder Sabina Lehnert on third, senior catcher Maggie Klug lifted a sacrifice fly to left field to bring her home.
“I was just really grateful my teammates set that up for me,” Klug said. “I was looking outside at first, but then I saw it inside and just got the ball out there. I was glad I could bring her home.”
Klug said the offense took a “simple approach” at the plate against Army.
“See the ball, hit the ball,” Klug said. “Hunt your pitch, go be aggressive, go get the ball.”
Rowden worked around a seventh-inning leadoff hit, recording the final out on strikes to take a 1-0 win.
“You just don’t think about anything but your pitches,” Rowden said. “As long as you’re focused on the batter and not letting other thoughts creep in, you’re good.”
Klug emphasized the importance of staying composed in a tight game.
“You just don’t let the moment get too big,” she said. “Take a deep breath, and trust your hard work and preparation.”
The victory marked the Leopards’ eighth of the season, surpassing last year’s total.
“It shows us what we’re capable of,” Rowden said. “It’s exciting to play competitive teams and do well.”
In Monday’s series finale, the Leopards came up just short 3-2 to drop the rubber match. The Black Knights scored the game’s first run in the fifth, but junior infielder Katie Harrington drove in seniors outfielder Olivia Catalina and infielder Dani Rosner with a double to center field in the sixth to take a 2-1 lead.
Rowden entered in relief for senior pitcher Marissa Powell — who allowed one unearned run across five innings — and rode a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the seventh. However, with their backs against the wall, the Black Knights scored runs on an RBI single and an RBI sacrifice fly for the walk-off finish.
The Leopards will take a break from Patriot League play with a Saturday doubleheader against Stony Brook University (11-20 overall) at home.