The softball team attempted to rebound from a three-run deficit yesterday but ultimately fell short, dropping a non-league game to Sacred Heart, 5–3.
“I thought we played a solid game all around, but made little mental mistakes here and there that didn’t allow us to pull through for the win,” third baseman Hannah Brennan ’15 said.
Yale (5–28, 1–11 Ivy) has struggled in the first inning of games so far this year. Opponents have outscored the Bulldogs 33–8 in the opening frame, and on Wednesday, Sacred Heart (12–17, 1–7 Northeast) scored three runs, all with two outs, in the first inning.
The Pioneers sent seven batters to the plate in the home half of the first inning, plating three runs. Sacred Heart center fielder Jade Bowins hit a one-out triple before scoring on a single by designated hitter Kacie Wentworth. Following a double by shortstop Justine Sibthorp, first baseman Kelyn Fillmore singled home two runs.
The Elis, however, responded with a run in the second inning. Catcher Sarah Onorato ’15 led off the frame with a single, and Brennan followed with a double. After a walk that loaded the bases, Onorato scored an unearned run as a result of an error made by the Sacred Heart shortstop.
Yale was unable to stay within two runs as the Pioneers pushed the lead to three runs in the third inning, tacking on a run by playing small ball. Wentworth began the inning with a single, and her pinch runner Jessica Schild moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt. Schild advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a single by right fielder McKenna Wiegand.
The Bulldogs threatened in the fourth inning with runners at second and third base, but with two outs, the team was unable to push them across the plate.
Lauren Delgadillo ’15, who has swung a hot bat in the month of April, homered with the bases empty in the fifth to cut the deficit to two runs. Sacred Heart returned the favor, adding another run in the bottom half of the inning as a result of a walk and a double.
The Bulldogs rallied again in the sixth inning. Allie Souza ’16 led off the inning with a walk, but she was eliminated on a double play. A single by second baseman Rachel Paris ’17 and a double by captain and center fielder Tori Balta ’14 helped Yale pick up one more run.
Trailing by two runs in the squad’s final at-bat, the Elis had the tying runs on base following an error and walk. The Bulldogs were unable to capitalize, however, and the third out was recorded when Ceri Godinez ’17, who pinch ran for Delgadillo, was thrown out at third base on an attempted stolen base.
“I think overall, we left too many runners in scoring position,” Onorato said. “We had a good number of hits, but are still missing that timely, key hit, and unfortunately we weren’t able to push enough runs across.”
The Elis are at home this weekend for a four-game set against Harvard. The two teams play doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday beginning at 12:30 p.m. each day.