Club Softball goes 1-2 in game series against Brockport
On Sunday, Apr. 16, the club softball team at Geneseo played a three-game series against SUNY Brockport to kick off their spring season. This was the first time the two teams played each other since the COVID-19 pandemic, and despite the heat, both teams fought to showcase how their teams have developed over the past few years. While Geneseo ended the day with one win and two losses, it was an exciting matchup that left the team with a sense of promise ahead of the remainder of the semester.
Geneseo stormed the field with precision in the first game, winning against Brockport with a score of 16-7. On the defensive side, Geneseo did not make a single error throughout the game. In addition to the impressive work in the field, freshman pitcher Jenna Crowley and sophomore pitcher Natalie Mandrycky both had major successes in the pitching circle: Crowley did not let any runs in during her three innings on the mound, and Mandrycky earned three strikeouts in the remaining four innings. Sophomore shortstop Ariana Vuskalns also had an impressive performance on the field, making the most plays of the game.
What was even more exciting was Geneseo’s powerful offense during game one. While there were many notable hits throughout the game, freshman third-baseman Katie Huntley stole the show for the day: she hit a grand-slam home run in the second inning and a double in the sixth inning with an RBI. Not to mention, it was her first game on the team. The excitement carried the team through the game to secure the win.
Unfortunately, the second game did not go as well for Geneseo, as Brockport came back ready and beat Geneseo with a final score of 7-19. Despite the loss, Geneseo still fought hard and managed to make memorable offensive moves to keep them in the game. Sophomore shortstop Kaitlyn Samsel, sophomore third baseman Nicole von Kramer, and sophomore center-fielder Aimee Maoriello all had multiple hits to ensure runs for Geneseo, and Vuskalns came in as a relief pitcher to help the team after Brockport earned 10 runs in the first two innings.
In the final match of the day, Geneseo played a competitive game and held off Brockport for several innings. Junior pitcher Mya Enderle struck out 13 total players, and also gained a hit for Geneseo to keep Brockport in play on the field. Other hitters in the game included senior first baseman Mackenzie Gugino and senior right-fielder Carly Burgio.
Despite their fierce efforts, Geneseo ultimately fell in the fourth inning, and lost the game 0-8 to Brockport. Nevertheless, their spirits could not be broken as they honored the game as the last time the five seniors on the team will play together as a group. Their contributions to the team, both as individuals and as team members, will leave a lasting impact on the organization for years to come.
The club softball team continues to improve each time they take the field. They will continue to refine their skills as they prepare for their home series against Niagara University on Sunday, Apr. 23.