The Puget Sound softball team had a successful five game set this past weekend against the Lewis and Clark Pioneers and the Willamette Bearcats after returning from a six-game spring break series in southern California.
The Loggers swept the Pioneers in two games on Friday by scores of 7-5 and 5-4, respectively. On Saturday, the Loggers had a tough opening game against Willamette, losing 15-2, but were able to bounce back and win the nightcap by a score of 6-3. Sunday proved to be a difficult day for both teams as the weather prevented the second game of the double-header against Willamette from being played after the Loggers dropped game one 8-0.
The first games of the weekend against Lewis and Clark proved to be the two most exciting of the weekend for Puget Sound. Junior Aryn Grause (Corvallis, Ore.) had a career day for the Loggers, hitting two home runs and picking up the win in the circle in both games.
In game one, both teams got out to a very hot start. The Loggers took the early lead on a solo homerun from Grause in the first. Lewis and Clark answered back in the second with a run of their own. In the Logger’s half of the second, senior Alex Usher (Carson, Wash.) singled home junior Anthea Aasen (Tacoma, Wash.). Later in the inning junior Elayna Van Hess (Aumsville, Ore.) hit a three-run home run to break the game open for the time being. However, Lewis and Clark would not go away easily. In the top of the third, the Pioneers tied the game up on the strength of a grand slam. The Loggers then answered back immediately in the bottom of the third on a pair of RBI singles from junior Chrissy Atterson (Marysville, Wash.) and junior Joleen Monifilleto (Everett, Wash.). Those two runs would be enough for the Loggers to pick up the win as Grause held the Pioneers scoreless for the remainder of the game.
Game two was a back and forth battle until the very end. Grause came in to pitch for the last inning and two-thirds and also had the defining hit of the game when she hit a walk-off solo shot in the bottom of the seventh to break the 4-4 tie and give the Loggers the sweep.
On Saturday, the Loggers got off to a slow start, giving up 15 runs in the first five innings to the Bearcats. Junior Megan Janes (Littleton, Colo.) scored the two runs for the Loggers while Van Hess and senior Carolyn Moore (Seattle, Wash.) picked up an RBI apiece.
The Loggers were able to avenge their loss in game one with a solid victory in game two. Grause stayed hot with another home run, this time a two-run shot that gave the Loggers the 5-3 lead in the sixth. Puget Sound would add another run in the seventh to cap off the 6-3 victory. Senior Auriel Sperberg (Spanaway, Wash.) picked up the victory in the circle for the Loggers, her fourth of the year.
Before the rain could end the Loggers’ day on Sunday, the Bearcats took one more from Puget Sound by a score of 8-0. Willamette posted a tremendous first inning, bringing home five runs to take an early lead. The Loggers could only manage two hits on the game and were not able to score. Willamette picked up their last three runs in the fifth to put an end to the game and also the series.
After going 3-2 this past weekend, the Loggers will prepare to go on the road this week to take on Linfield and Pacific.
[PHOTO COURTESY / DANIEL PENDLETON]