The Eastern Michigan University women’s softball team dominated on Tuesday night, taking both games in a doubleheader against the University of Detroit Mercy.
The Eagles (19-24, 5-7 Mid-American Conference) took the first game with a score of 8-0 and the second game 7-1.
“Our bats came through, we were patient, we didn’t score the first couple innings, but we stayed calm and focused,” Head Coach Karen Baird said. “We stayed within ourselves at each bat and got the hits we needed.”
Junior pitcher Jenna Ignowski, who picked up the win in the first game, was lights out as she pitched six innings of scoreless softball, allowing only four hits. She improved her record to 10-6.
“I think we just have to continue having bats on the ball and hitting the ball,” Ignowski said. “Pitching will need to stay up and just keep the runs down; the team is really coming together and just continue to have all the elements to keep winning this weekend.”
The team gave Ignowski plenty of run support, getting 11 hits in the first game and drove in eight runs.
Senior captain Jessica Richards led the first game with three hits while outfielder Mckenna Russ, catcher Sarah Gerber and shortstop Jenn Lucas all had two hits on the day.
In the second game, the Eagles were able to continue the hitting in the 7-1 win. The Eagles had home runs by freshman first base player Amanda Herron and by junior Courtney Nicholson. Nicholson was 3-for-3 and drove three runs.
“It felt really good because I struggled a little bit in the first game and I wanted to come out in the second game,” Nicholson said. “Just wanted to get that feeling from the first game off my back, and it felt really good and just was hitting well.”
Sophomore pitcher Lauren Wells pitched seven innings, allowing only one run on two hits and had all the run support she needed to pick up the win. Wells is 4-10.
“I think that was all we needed to do before in the Western game was to just drive some runs in,” Wells said about the tough losses to Western. “Once we got those people on, we did a really good job of hitting.”
Baird said she was pleased with how the team preformed and their ability to drive in big hits when they needed them.
“When we are getting people up to the plate now, and they have the confidence to drive in hits and get those crucial runs,” Baird said.
The team will look to improve its MAC record of 5-7 on the road this weekend.
“This weekend we play Ball State on Friday and Miami of Ohio on Saturday and Sunday,” Baird said. “We split last year with Ball State and lost both to Miami, and we are looking to carry over our hitting this weekend.”
