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Last Updated: Jul 21st, 2008 - 09:27:48 |
While many reasons can be placed on why the College of the Redwoods softball team fell to the College of the Siskiyous squad (13-5 in game one, and 11-6 in game two) the inability to hold the lead is what stood out on Thursday.
In both games of the double-header matchup, the Lady Corsairs held the lead only to see it eradicated by a group of Eagles who knew how to lay down the lumber.
Going into the third inning of the first game, the Corsairs held a 4-3 lead. The Eagles were trying to figure out what to do and then suddenly it happened -- their bats started finding the ball.
Siskiyous racked up three runs in the inning but the Corsairs were able add another run to make the score 6-5 heading into the fourth inning.
Unfortunately for the Corsairs, that's all the offense could muster, while the Eagles had what seemed to be batting practice.
To say the Corsairs were rocked would be a gross understatement.
A total of eight home runs were belted over the fences in game one, seven from Eagles' bats and one from the Corsairs' aluminum.
”We just couldn't keep the ball in the park,” CR head coach Maggie White said about game one. “They didn't score a run that wasn't a home run.”
Siskiyous' Kimberly Connely, who had hit a homer earlier in the game, put an exclamation point with her grand-slam shot in the sixth inning.
”We hit well enough to win and did what we needed to do offensively,” White said.
Despite the loss, the Corsairs' mood didn't dampen and the team came out like gangbusters in the second outing.
Rendering the Eagles scoreless and heading into the bottom of the first inning, CR's offensive came on like a brushfire.
What was started by a simple liner by Hailey Miranda resulted in a Merry-Go-Round effect for the team as one would step up to the plate, another would come home to score.
A bunt by Rachel Damme advanced Miranda to second and a blooper to left field by Samantha Griffith put her on third. Shana McCracken stepped up to the plate and launched a shot to right field scoring Miranda and placing Griffith on third.
Nichole Doan took the plate and hit a blooper to left scoring Griffith giving the Corsairs a 2-0 lead.
Rattled by CR's sudden offensive outburst, Eagles' pitcher Crystal Palacio accuracy waned resulting in walks and wild pitches.
When all said was done, the Corsairs left the first inning with a 6-0 lead and a renewed confidence.
It wouldn't last long, however.
It was the same story, different chapter for CR.
Siskiyous excellent hitting reared its ugly head once again and heading into the fourth inning, the score was now 6-3.
With two runners on and Connely up to bat, McCracken's offering was once again lifted over the fence and the score was tied 6-6.
It didn't end there.
A series of errors and mental lapses amongst the CR defense allowed Siskiyous two more runs before the final out was recorded and what was once a commanding lead no longer existed. 8-6 Eagles.
Once again the Corsairs offense shrank to nonexistent, and the Eagles kept on trucking for a 11-6 victory.
”I was proud of the fact we came out in the second game and scored six runs,” White said. “We showed glimpses of hope but defensively, we're not very tough.”
”Now it's all about playing for ourselves, playing for fun. And then maybe we can throw a monkey wrench in someone else's plans.”
The Corsairs drop to 6-20 overall while Siskiyous improves to 28-1.
CR is scheduled to travel to Roseville this weekend to participate in the Sierra Wolverine Classic tournament in non-league play.
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