The Bel Air High School Softball Team fell short to Rising Sun High School 3-0 and defeated Fallston High School 12-0, giving them a season record of 6-2.
On Wed. April, 9, the girls played at Rising Sun High School and lost 3-0. In the first inning, Rising Sun scored 2 runs.. Rising Sun scored another run in the 4th inning, putting the Bobcats down 3-0. The team did not hit well, recording only 4 base hits. Three of the hits were from by Rayn Gibson, and one by Leah Lozzi. The team was very displeased with their performance.
“As competitors, we need to be consistent with playing our best, mentally and physically. Learning how it feels, and what the outcome is when we are not consistent is an important step in our team’s growth,” said Coach Donaldson.
On Fri., April 11, the team redeemed themselves against Fallston High School. The team stepped up their offensive effort from the previous game, tallying a total of 13 hits. They won in the 5th inning due to mercy rule, meaning they were up by 12 runs at the end of the inning.
Coach Donaldson said, “It was nice to see our girls come out and attack the ball. When we execute offensively, we win ball games.”
The Team lost against Perryville High School 3-1 on Mon., April 14, and beat the previously undefeated Havre De Grace High School 14-8 on Wed., April 16.
On Monday, the girls fell short to Perryville High School 3-1. The team had 4 hits, including a triple from Senior Taylor Scott, but it was not enough to catch up to Perryville’s early lead. Perryville gained 2 unearned runs due to 4 errors in the field by the Bobcats early in the game. This game put the team at a record of 6-3.
On Tuesday, Bel Air’s game against Aberdeen was canceled due to rain. The game will not be rescheduled because Aberdeen High School is not in their conference. The team used this day to practice hitting in the cage in order to prepare for their game against Havre De Grace on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, the girls went out to Stancil Field in Havre De Grace to face the Havre De Grace Warriors. Havre De Grace was undefeated going into the game. Knowing that Havre de Grace could easily produce runs on offence, the girls knew that they’d have to outscore the Warriors rather than shutting them down defensively. The Lady ‘Cats were able to get a 2 run jump on Havre De Grace in the first inning. After the third inning, the team had a 13-3 lead over the Warriors. Through the fourth and fifth inning, the Bobcat defense made a couple errors, putting the score at 13-8. . They were able to gather 1 more run in the seventhinning, and hold Havre De Grace to only earning one more run.
The final score of the game was 14-8. Rayn Gibson pitched very well against the Warriors, and offensively hit a home run and a grand slam and had 7 RBIs in the game. Emily Strawbridge and Morgan Devorak both had extra base hits. The team was able to get 18 hits throughout the game.
Coach Donaldson said, “I am so proud of our efforts today! Beating an undefeated team is awesome, but what was more impressive is how we did it. 18 hits is outstanding, and keeping our energy and enthusiasm high gave us the edge today.”
On Tue., April 22, 2014, Rayn Gibson pitched her way to a no-hitter and led the Varsity Softball Team to a 2-0 victory over the Towson Generals.
Gibson pitched a complete game, recording 12 strikeouts. The Bobcats got a one run jump in the first inning after Kelsea Hilditch hit a triple, and then scored on a sacrifice bunt by Sarah Fleischmann. The second run was scored in the fourth inning when Gibson hit a triple and sent Fleischmann home from second base. Gibson recorded another hit in the seventh inning, going 2-4 in the game with one RBI. Fleischmann went 3-4 in the game with one RBI. The Bobcats had a total of 6 hits in the game.
Gibson expressed that she was, “really proud of myself for keeping the Generals from getting on base in order to keep us on top of a close game. I owe Taylor Scott credit for calling the game, and controlling bad pitches. I owe my defense credit as well for making outs when the ball was put in play.”
The Lady Bobcats held Havre De Grace to one run in a 2-1 victory against the Warriors on Wed., April 23, 2014.
Rayn Gibson pitched a complete game, holding the Warriors to one base hit. Havre De Grace was able to get one run in during the first inning, giving them an early 1-0 lead against the Bobcats.
The Warriors were able to hold their lead until the fifth inning, when Taylor Hensley scored on a wild pitch after hitting a triple.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Kelsea Hilditch scored on an overthrow to third base, giving the Bobcats a 2-1 lead. Gibson kept the Warriors from getting on base in the top of the seventh inning, giving the Bobcats a 2-1 victory. Bel Air has defeated Havre De Grace twice, giving them their only two losses of the season.
Coach Donaldson said, “It’s a great confidence booster when you can sweep a team, and when we are their only two losses on the season, it makes it a little bit sweeter. I hope our team uses this momentum to play our best softball as we approach and enter our regional games.”
This game put the Bobcats at a record of 9-3. Next week, the girls play C. Milton Wright on Monday, Harford Tech on Wednesday, and then they play a double header against North Harford on Friday.