The Slippery Rock University softball team (15-23 overall, 12-16 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference) ended their season Monday with two losses against Edinboro University (23-14-1 overall, 15-12-1 PSAC).
Both games were blowouts in Edinboro’s favor, with the Fighting Scots winning game one 11-3 and game two 8-1.
The first game featured SRU sophomore pitcher Carly DeRose (8-12).
DeRose earned her 12th loss of the season, allowing 11 runs and 18 hits while striking out two Edinboro batters.
“They were hitting her early in the game,” SRU head coach Stacey Rice said. “We could see that they were on her and the timing was evident in the first inning. That was something we saw happening, so we tried to keep them on their toes with some off-speed pitches, but that’s not one of Carly’s strengths.”
Rice said the team didn’t have many options in terms of relief pitching due to freshman pitcher Brooke Dawson’s injury, so they had to stick with DeRose.
The Rock offense was stagnant in both games, but they managed to score three runs in game one. Junior shortstop Katie Kaiser, junior designated player Stacey Herzog and senior right fielder Alaynna Beers scored the only three runs for the Green and White.
“Some days, you’re going to put up 13 runs, but most days you’re only going to put up five or six,” Rice said. “I wasn’t necessarily disappointed with the offense, we just weren’t getting the clutch hits that we needed to score runs. That was really the issue in the latter part of this season.”
The second game didn’t show any improvements from SRU. Sophomore pitcher Sarah Petrash (1-2) was tagged with the loss, her second of the season. Petrash allowed eight runs and eight hits while striking out eight Edinboro batters.
“We knew that there was a strong possibility that this would be our last game, so when it’s your last game of the season, you want to end on a high note,” Rice said. “Whether or not you’re going to make the playoffs or not, you want to find something down deep to see who you are going to play for.”
SRU’s offense scored only one run in game two. Herzog went 1-2 and scored the only run. The Rock managed to have only six hits in the second game, and 13 total in the doubleheader.
This doubleheader sweep ended the Rock’s playoff hopes and season. They finished with a record of 15-23, which is one win short of and three losses better than last season.
The Rock was scheduled to face California University of Pennsylvania Tuesday, but with the doubleheader sweep, they were knocked out of playoff contention. This being her first season as the Rock’s head coach, Rice said she is impressed and proud of what her team was able to do this spring.
“I’m super proud of what my team has accomplished and the hard work they put forth,” Rice said. “We really start preparing in September, and it’s a long process for these girls. So, I’m absolutely proud of what they accomplished. They increased their batting averages from last year, decreased their ERA and individually players have improved.”
