By Patrick Tintle
Contributing Writer
After a 1-3 record in the University of North Florida Tournament, the softball team is looking ahead toward the rest of the season and the start of Atlantic 10 Conference play.
While the team’s offense has met its high standards, pitching has proved to be the team’s biggest weakness, said Head Coach Mike Threehouse.
“Our pitching is young,” Threehouse said. “They can’t just throw strikes. They have to learn how to pitch on a college level.”
The pitching staff showed its inexperience early in the season. Their 9.32 collective ERA compared to opponents’ ERA of 3.15 demonstrates the staff’s youth of only freshmen and sophomores.
Freshman Carly Bilchak provided a spark for the pitching staff, Threehouse said. Bilchak threw 4.1 innings, giving up one earned run in the Bonnies’ only weekend win, snapping the team’s nine-game losing streak.
Threehouse said the strength of the team is its offense. During the weekend tournament in Florida, the team averaged almost five runs per game.
“We hit the ball well,” Threehouse said. “The team is putting together good at bats and we are scoring runs.”
Contributing to the power offense was freshman third baseman Marriela Ferrer, who went 3-3 with three RBIs in the 7-6 loss to Delaware State. Also having a good weekend, freshman shortstop and leadoff hitter Emily McDonough hit .428 with four runs scored in the four-game trip.
Both Ferrer and sophomore outfielder Katherine Caboot are proving to be significant players, Coach Threehouse said.
“They may be part-time players, but they will have big roles.”
Junior outfielder Ashley Snider and senior outfielder Jessenia Andujar collectively hit .304 and knocked in a combined five RBIs to help support the offense. Freshman second baseman Emily Belfield performed well against Delaware St. going 2-4 with three RBIs.
In Florida, the Bonnies had a few upsetting loses. In their March 2 double-header against North Florida, the team squandered a 6-0 lead and lost 7-6 with all of North Florida’s runs coming in the last two innings. The second game also went to North Florida with an 8-4 score while the Bonnies made three errors.
However, Threehouse and his team are looking ahead to the Delaware State Hornet Invite on March 16-17. The Bonnies will face Mount St. Mary, Niagara, and Delaware State.
The team will face Mount St. Mary’s powerhouse pitching, while both Niagara and Delaware State will be equally competitive, according to Threehouse.
“All three teams will measure our toughness,” Threehouse said.
The Bonnies earned their only win against Delaware State in the North Florida Tournament.
After Delaware State, the team will have its first Atlantic 10 Conference play with a two-game series at Butler on March 22 and 23. The Bonnies’ starting lineup is set, according to Threehouse.
“We know who is going to play where,” Threehouse said. “The team has fallen into place.”
