Softball

Category: Softball

Inside LU Athletics: Vikings take balanced attack into MWC Tournament

Pitchers tend to breathe a sigh of relief when they get through the tough part of the opposition’s batting order.

The problem with the Lawrence University softball team, if you’re the opposition, is the easy part of the lineup never seems to come to the plate. The Vikings take a balanced and prolific offense into this weekend’s Midwest Conference Tournament at Lake Forest College.

Making its second consecutive MWC Tournament appearance, Lawrence (18-11) opens tournament play against South Division champion Lake Forest (23-8) at noon on Friday. North Division winner St. Norbert College (16-15) faces Monmouth College (20-16) in the other opening game Friday. The winner of the double-elimination tournament receives an automatic berth in the NCAA Division III Tournament.

“We’re so balanced,” Lawrence coach Kim Tatro said. “I think in certain years we’ve had some really explosive hitters. This year we can get that explosiveness from a variety of different sources. It makes us more successful, and for other teams, a bigger challenge to deal with.”

Lawrence has the league’s highest batting average at .333, and the Vikings have averaged 6.6 runs per game, which is second to only Lake Forest (7.8) in the conference.

“When we’re (balanced) as a team, that’s what makes us good,” Tatro said. “It’s not about just one or two people being successful.”

Eight of Lawrence’s nine regular starters are hitting higher than .300, and the other one is just below the .300 mark. The offense is paced by junior shortstop Amanda Jaskolski, who is hitting .422 with eight doubles, one triple, six homers and a 30 runs batted in.

While Jaskolski has been terrific in the clean-up spot, production from the bottom of the order also has been excellent. Second baseman Cory Paquette has played more games (19) than anyone else while batting seventh and has hit .321 in that spot. Freshman catcher Sam Belletini has played a team-high 10 games while batting eighth and is hitting .400 in that spot. Outfielder Tierney Duffy has hit ninth more than anyone else and is at .296 at the bottom of the order.

The 7-8-9 hitters have batted a combined .315 while scoring 51 runs and driving in 51 in 29 games. The bottom of the order has been so good getting on base that lead-off hitter Savanna Marsicek has driven in 13 runs while batting .333.

“I think we’re getting contributions from a lot of different places,” Tatro said. “I think that’s important to your team. Playing down the stretch without some key contributors was important for us. It’s nice to not have to rely on just a couple of people to get things done for us, whether that’s hitting, pitching or defense.”

While keeping the offense cranked up this weekend will be important, Tatro knows her top two pitchers also will have to be on their games. Juniors Kara Vance and Liz Barthels have both come up big in recent games, with both of them tossing shutouts in must-win conference games.

“We have some very good offensive teams in our conference,” Tatro said. “Any time you can shut out anyone in our conference, it’s pretty impressive. We’re going to need similar-type performances going into the tournament. All four teams going into the tournament can hit.

“It’s going to be a huge key for us. Keep the hitters off-balance and keep the ball in the yard.”

Vance is 11-4 with a 4.22 earned run average, and Barthels is 6-6 with a 3.72 ERA. The Vikings also can turn to sophomore Jessica Demski, who has been effective with a 1-1 record and 3.91 ERA in 14.1 innings.

If Lawrence wants to return to its first league title since 1999, Tatro said her team has three key areas on which to focus.

“No. 1, we have to be solid defensively. We can’t give extra outs in innings. No. 2, we have to be productive one through nine in the lineup. We can’t rely on one or two people to hit for us,” Tatro said.

“Finally, we have to pitch smart. That’s not by overpowering people, it’s by keeping them off-balance, changing speeds and letting the defense do the work.”

Maroons top Lawrence in game shortened by rain

APPLETON, Wis. — The University of Chicago softball team jumped out to a big early lead and went on to an 8-2 nonconference win over Lawrence University on Monday at Whiting Field in a game shortened to six innings by rain.

The second game of the scheduled doubleheader also was washed out.

The Maroons (25-8) jumped out to a 6-0 lead after two innings and piled up 10 hits. Devan Parkison, Kathleen Kohm and Raechel Cloud all had two hits for Chicago.

Jordan Poole went four innings, allowed two hits, struck out four and walked three to pick up the win. Liz Barthels gave up nine hits over four innings and took the loss.

Lawrence (18-11) was limited to only three hits, and Tierney Duffy went 2-for-3 to pace the offense. The Vikings scratched out runs Duffy’s run-scoring single in the fifth, and Mary Diduch’s sacrifice fly in the sixth.

Box score

Lawrence sweeps Bucs; earns berth in MWC Tournament

APPLETON, Wis. — The Lawrence University softball team swept Beloit College in a Midwest Conference doubleheader on Saturday at Whiting Field and earned a second consecutive berth in the league tournament in the process.

The Vikings won the opener 6-5 and downed Beloit 8-2 in the nightcap. The two wins, coupled with St. Norbert’s sweep of Carroll on Saturday, propelled Lawrence into the four-team MWC Tournament next weekend.

In the opener, Lawrence (18-10, 6-2 MWC) built a 6-1 lead and then had to hang on for the win as the Bucs (5-27, 0-8) scored a single run in each of the final four innings.

Anna Wawiorka went 3-for-3 with a double, scored two runs and drove in another for the Vikings. Alissa Geipel went 2-for-3 with two doubles, and Alex Chiodo was 2-for-3 with a double for Lawrence.

Kara Vance went the distance to pick up the win. She allowed 12 hits, struck out four and didn’t walk a batter. Megan Salm went the distance for Beloit and took the loss. Salm also went 3-for-4 and hit a solo homer.

Beloit scored a run in in the seventh to trim the margin to 6-5 and had the tying run at first with one out. Vance got Mikayla Martin to fly out, and then struck out Josie Lindsey-Robbins looking to end the game.

In the nightcap, Lawrence broke open a close game in the fifth and sixth innings.

The Vikings pounded out 14 hits, and Taylor Dodson led the way by going 3-for-3 with a run scored and two runs batted in. Sam Belletini, Chiodo and Cory Paquette all had two hits and drove in two runs for the Vikings. Belletini also hit her first career homer, a solo shot, in the third inning to give Lawrence a 3-0 lead.

Beloit then scored two in the top of the fourth, but the Vikings countered in the bottom of the fifth. Lawrence got run-scoring singles from Chiodo and Paquette to grab a 5-2 advantage.

Lawrence added three more runs in the sixth. Dodson got it started with a run-scoring single, and Chiodo and Paquette both followed with run-scoring doubles to build the advantage to 8-2.

That was more than enough for Lawrence starter Liz Barthels. She went the distance and allowed five hits. Barthels struck out five and did not walk a batter. Martin allowed nine hits over four innings and took the loss.

Game one box score

Game two box score

Vikings shut out St. Norbert to claim doubleheader split

DE PERE, Wis. — Kara Vance tossed a three-hit shutout in the nightcap to lead Lawrence University to a Midwest Conference doubleheader split with St. Norbert College on Wednesday.

The Green Knights won the opener 6-3, and Lawrence took the nightcap 3-0 in eight innings at Mel Nicks Field.

Vance allowed a first-inning and two hits in the eighth to record her first shutout of the season. She walked one and did not strike out a batter.

The game was scoreless to the top of the eighth when the Vikings (16-10, 7-5 MWC) struck for three runs against St. Norbert starter Brianna Byrne, who took the loss.

Cory Paquette, who went 2-for-3 in the nightcap, got things started with a single. The Vikings then loaded the bases on a walk and an error with one out. Anna Wawiorka drew a walk to force in Paquette and make it 1-0. Amanda Jaskolski followed with a two-run single and Lawrence led 3-0.

Vance allowed a lead-off single in the bottom of the eighth, but Abby Gildernick then grounded into a double play. After another single, Vance got a ground out to end the game.

In the opener, Jessica DeMeuse and Emily Laufer homered for the Green Knights (14-15, 8-4), who built a 6-2 lead after three innings.

Jaskolski blasted a two-run homer, her sixth of the season, to give Lawrence a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. Tierney Duffy also picked up a pair of hits for the Vikings.

Morgan Rusch allowed four hits and went the distance to get the win for St. Norbert. Liz Barthels went the distance and took the loss.

Game one box score

Game two box score

Barthels tosses shutout as Vikings split with Carroll

WAUKESHA, Wis. — Liz Barthels tossed a five-hit shutout in the nightcap to help the Lawrence University softball team to a split of a Midwest Conference doubleheader at Carroll University on Saturday.

Carroll (9-21, 4-4 MWC) won the opener 6-4, and Lawrence (15-9, 6-4) took the nightcap 2-0 at Kilgour Field.

Barthels was outstanding, striking out one and walking none, and worked out of a jam in the fifth to preserve her first shutout of the season and third of her career.

Savanna Marsicek went 2-for-4 to lead the Lawrence offense.

Lawrence took a 1-0 lead in the fifth with the help of a Carroll error. Alex Chiodo walked and Marsicek singled three batters later. Her line drive to left field skipped past the outfielder, and pinch-runner Tierney Duffy came around to score.

The Vikings tacked on another run in the sixth after loading the bases on Amanda Jaskolski’s single, Sam Belletini’s double and Taylor Dodson’s walk. Cory Paquette then reached on a two-out infield single to score Jaskolski and put the Vikings up 2-0.

Barthels then retired the Pioneers in order on just three pitches in the sixth and set down the first two batters in the seventh on just two more pitches. She then got Concetta Giralamo to pop up to Paquette to end the game.

In the opener, the Pioneers scored three times in the opening inning and eventually built a 6-1 advantage. The Vikings rallied for one run in the sixth and two more in the seventh but could get no closer. Jaskolski hit a solo homer, her fifth of the season, for the Vikings in the second.

Kelly Strasser and Ashlee Leidall both collected three hits for Carroll. Natalie Ruechel went the distance, allowing six hits, to pick up the win.

Game one box score

Game two box score

Vikings sweep doubleheader from Ripon

APPLETON, Wis. — The Lawrence University softball team swept a Midwest Conference doubleheader from Ripon College on Wednesday at Whiting Field.

Lawrence won the opener 4-2 and rallied to take the nightcap 5-3.

In the first game, Lawrence’s Anna Wawiorka went 3-for-3 with two runs batted in and two runs scored. Wawiorka fell a single short of the cycle as she collected a home run, a triple and a double. Cory Paquette went 2-for-2 and drove in a run for Lawrence (14-8, 5-3 MWC).

Kara Vance went the distance to pick up the win. She allowed seven hits, struck out two and didn’t walk a batter.

Ripon (7-20, 4-7) scored in the top of the first for a 1-0 lead, but Lawrence tied it in the bottom half of the inning when Wawiorka tripled to score Tierney Duffy.

The Vikings grabbed the lead with a run in the second when Paquette doubled to score Alex Chiodo for a 2-1 edge. Lawrence made it 3-1 in the third when Wawiorka doubled and scored on Sam Belletini’s single.

Lawrence made it 4-1 in the fifth when Wawiorka led off the inning with a homer. Ripon cut the lead to 4-2 with a run in the sixth, but avoided further damage when Savanna Marsicek threw out Cassie Bilotto trying to stretch a single into a double.

In the nightcap, Lawrence rallied for three runs in the bottom of the sixth to complete the sweep.

Amanda Jaskolski went 2-for-3 and drove in a pair of runs for the Vikings. Chiodo also went 2-for-3 for Lawrence.

Liz Barthels worked six innings, allowing six hits, to pick up the win. Vance worked a 1-2-3 seventh to pick up her first save of the season.

Lawrence led 2-1 before Ripon scored a pair of unearned runs in the top of the sixth. The Vikings came right to retake the lead in the bottom half of the inning.

Duffy started the rally with an infield single off Ashley Gnacinski, who pitched both games for the Red Hawks. After a sacrifice bunt and a fly out, Lawrence picked up multiple clutch two-out hits. Taylor Dodson doubled to score Duffy and tie the game at 3-3. Chiodo followed with a double to score pinch-runner Rheya Upadhyaya and put the Vikings up 4-3. Paquette followed with a single to score Chiodo and Lawrence led 5-3.

Gnacinski went 3-for-3 and scored two runs to pace Ripon in the nightcap. Korrine Peterson had a pair of hits in the opener for the Red Hawks.

Game one box score

Game two box score

 

 

Inside LU Athletics: Newcomers making big impact for softball

Kim Tatro has been coaching long enough to know a good thing when she sees one.

The Lawrence University softball coach knew she had a talented group of incoming players, but two of the newest Vikings have impressed Tatro and put up some stellar numbers. Shortstop Amanda Jaskolski and catcher Sam Belletini are leading the Vikings in hitting and helping Lawrence put together another strong season.

“We knew what we were getting with Jazz,” said Tatro, referring to Jaskolski by her nickname. “She is vey gifted athletically and has been a huge asset to our program. She knows so much about the game, and the experience she brings has been invaluable. We knew Sam had the physical tools but were unsure how quickly she would adjust to the college game. We expect so much out of the catching position and Sam gets better every single day.”

Jaskolski, a native of nearby Shawano, Wis., is a junior who transferred to Lawrence after playing two years at Darton State College in Georgia. She earned the starting job at shortstop and has provided a power surge at the plate. Jaskolski is hitting a team-high .438 with eight doubles, one triple, four home runs and 23 runs batted in. With her .781 slugging percentage, she has put together a gaudy 1.281 OPS.

“I think it’s gone a little better than I expected,” said Jaskolski, who ranks in the top 10 nationally in RBIs per game. “(The team) showed me the ropes of Lawrence. They have their own little community here. Having a team to help me do that has been great. We all just kind of clicked right away and made our own little bond within the softball team.”

Belletini is a first-year player from Gurnee, Ill., and has nailed down the starting job behind the plate. Tatro, a star catcher in her playing days, expects her catchers to lead and take charge.

“(Tatro) definitely commands that leadership role from the catcher. It’s been a big adjustment,” Belletini said. “When I started practice inside I was way quiet, and I didn’t take that leadership. Once I got to know the team, Alex (Chiodo) encouraged me and that helped a lot.”

Speak softly and carry a big stick seems to be Belletini’s motto. She is hitting .417 with seven doubles, a triple and 15 RBIs. Not bad for someone who wasn’t going to play at the collegiate level.

Lawrence pitcher Jessica Demski was Belletini’s prep teammate at Warren Township High School, and convinced her to visit Lawrence. The rest, as they say, is history.

“I like it a lot. I’m glad I decided to come here,” Belletini said. “I love playing softball. I think I would have regretted not playing.”

With the influx of newcomers, including Rheya Upadhyaya and Marisa Thackston, mixing with the veteran team, the Vikings have put together a 12-8 mark. This year’s team has great versatility to go along with a powerful offense.

“We are strong top to bottom,” Tatro said. “I said this early on, we have 16 players and all have a legitimate opportunity to start. When practice is that competitive every day, it brings out the best in everyone. As a staff, we have a lot of confidence in one through 16 on our team.”

Both Jaskolski and Belletini are looking for the team to make a run at another appearance in the four-team Midwest Conference Tournament. With the offense clicking, the Vikings have a shot at returning to the league tourney after finishing second last season.

“If you look at our team batting average, something is happening,” said Jaskolski, referring to Lawrence’s impressive .353 average. “It’s kind of crazy to have everyone on the same page at the same time.”

Softball vs. Rockford postponed

APPLETON, Wis. — The Lawrence University vs. Rockford University softball doubleheader scheduled for Wednesday afternoon has been postponed. No make-up date has been announced. Lawrence is scheduled to return to action on Thursday when it hosts Ripon College in a Midwest Conference doubleheader at Whiting Field. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.

Cornell shuts out Vikings

EAST PEORIA, Ill. — Jackie Sernek tossed a four-hit shutout to lead Cornell College to a 3-0 victory over Lawrence University on Sunday at the Midwest Conference Classic.

Sernek struck out six and walked two over seven innings for the Rams (17-8, 5-3 MWC). Sernek’s outing overshadowed a fine effort from Liz Barthels, who went the distance, allowed six hits and only one earned run for the Vikings (12-8, 3-3).

Brianna Carney went 2-for-2 to pace Cornell, who scored unearned runs in the third and fourth and picked up another run in the sixth inning.

Box score