Lookout Mountain, GA- The bats were not as lively as they were in last night's second game, but the Lady Scots still found a way to beat Montreat College twice this afternoon to extend their win streak to 3 games and improve their overall record to 3-23. Covenant scored a total of 4 runs on 11 hits and shut out the Lady Cavaliers who average nearly 4 runs a game.
In game one, Christine Core- who smacked a grand slam to right last night- led off the bottom of the first with a first pitch single down the left field line. After being bunted to second by Kim Cuticchia and moved to third via a wild pitch, Core then scored on a base hit from Beth Harris two pitches later. And that eventually proved to be all that was needed. The Lady Scots added an insurance run in the third to go up by two, but Chelsea Krafft and an error-free defense helped Covenant stave off the Lady Cavaliers.
"We played superb defense, made the little outs and made the big outs," commented head coach Sara Russell. In fact, with Lindsey Potter at third, Kimi Peebles at short, and Kristen Walker at second, the infield combined for 10 assists as Montreat's offense was unable to do anything past put the ball in play. Krafft struck out 8 and walked only 3 in her 12th complete game this season.
In game two, Core led off the bottom of the first with another first-pitch hit: a double to left-center. An error, a strike-out, and a walk later, and the bases were loaded with one out for freshman slugger Courtney Wagoner. Wagoner made excellent contact, lining a shot to the right side. But Lady Cavalier second baseman Kristine Valdez was there to make the catch and double up one of Covenant's runners.
The same thing happened 3 innings later. With one out and runners on first and second, Jenny Keener belted a shot up the middle that was speared by Montreat's pitcher and thrown immediately to first to double off another runner. Although the at-bat ended the inning with the score still 0-0, it was yet another example of how Covenant's bats are coming to life- everything has been looking good lately, even the foul balls!
The second game went scoreless into the bottom of the 5th until a two-RBI base hit to right field from Courtney Wagoner broke the tie.
Krafft, who pitched another complete game, came away with the win, having retired 11 of the last 12.
In the three victories this season, 6 different Lady Scots have batted .333 or higher, while in the twenty-three losses, none had. And in the wins, Covenant's ERA is 0.00 compared to 6.51 in the losses.
"I'm very proud of my team, especially the leaders," spoke Russell. "It's easy to lead when you're winning, but it's a whole different ballgame when your team is struggling like we were. My leaders have helped bring together the players I coached last year and the players I recruited this year. Their confidence is boosted and they're all finally playing at their potential!"
Although the Lady Scots still hold a grim 3-23 record, things are certainly looking up as the team is coming together. "We're still in a hole, but we just need to keep moving forward and finish well," Russell went on. "We've got to keep going because this is not the end."
As well as the team is playing, the Lady Scots indeed have much more work to do. 8 games still lie ahead on their regular season schedule, and post-season games are often won by the teams playing at their peak.
