After three shutouts last weekend, the softball team hoped to avoid a fourth on Sunday.
But in Greenville, N.C., the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers proved to be too much as they pounded out an 8-0 win over Buffalo. The loss was the Bulls' final game of the East Carolina State Farm Pirate Classic tournament.
Only a week after being named Mid-American Conference Player of the Week for the second time this season, junior Sophie Barstad failed to finish the game, although she managed to strike out four batters in four innings before freshman Jennifer Biernacki was called in to relieve her. Biernacki struck out one person in her one inning pitched.
"Jen does a real good job," said head softball coach Marie Curran. "We've noticed her nervousness when we get to higher-level competition. She's a talented girl with a lot of potential. It's just getting her to believe in herself."
The Chanticleers (18-17) saw junior Christina Doyle pitch a near-perfect game, giving up a walk in the third and the hit made by Cafazzo at the top of the sixth. Seven of the eight runs scored were earned, and four were made in the second inning.
"We are an extremely young team, with no one to really step up and lead. With Lauren Picciano, Erin Zilka and Colleen Greene out, especially a senior like Picciano, it hurts," Curran said. "Those are our two, three and five positions, and without them there, a lot of silly mistakes are being made. We just have to try harder."
Without the full starting pack, Laura Kor, Lacy Schneider, Kim Hazlian, and Barstad were relied on in the infield, where they collaborated for eight assists and 16 put-outs at first base. Kerry Cafazzo was the only Bull to connect with the ball the entire game, in the sixth inning, only to be thrown out at second base.
Keeping her team motivated is one thing Curran aims at regardless of the tough weekend, though she doesn't find it difficult to do.
"The good thing about girls is that they motivate themselves," Curran said. "They read the (Spectrum) article on Monday and were like 'We played horrible! I don't want to see that written about us again.' It really put the fire back into them as a team."
With another game to play before the preseason ends, this week will be used to work out any kinks they can.
"Our main goal will be to get two of the three injured girls back into the lineup," Curran said. "Erin and Colleen could possibly be cleared by Tuesday, so we're waiting on that, though Lauren is a ways away with a broken arm. Defense-wise, we need to work on getting those ground balls. Offensively, swing at big pitches and not be afraid."
As Bowling Green will be the Bulls' first home MAC competitor on Nan Harvey Field on March 31, Curran said it will be a huge mental step for her team.
"We're definitely excited, and still believe we can beat teams," Curran said. "We need to step up on Wednesday against Pittsburgh, and never stop believing in ourselves. Softball has a lot to do with hits and misses. When confidence is up, emotion gets involved."
The Bulls will be on the road at Pittsburgh, and then back for their home contest at 1 p.m. against the Bowling Green Falcons.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
