By Dustin Schreibman
Contributing Writer
While the St. Bonaventure softball team has lost its first four games, the team still has high hopes for the season.
Coach Mike Threehouse, knows the talent alone will not be enough for his team to succeed.
Talent is a factor, but having someone with talent and a hard work ethic is a dangerous combination, according to Threehouse. Another goal for the Bonnies is to succeed in the Atlantic 10 softball schedule.
A 3-2 loss against Iowa State and a 3-0 loss against Coastal Carolina caused the Bonnies to slip to 0-4 to start the 2015 campaign. However, these are not losses of which the Bonnies should be ashamed. Iowa State and Coastal Carolina make quality opponents on any team’s non- conference schedule.
Iowa State is currently 6-2, with losses against Ole Miss (who the Cyclones also beat 4-2) and Coastal Carolina. Coastal Carolina currently stands at 5-4, but all their losses have come to power conference teams like Maryland (twice), Virginia Tech, and Ole Miss.
“The games were against good teams and if we play like this against A-10 opponents, we will win games.,” Threehouse said.
Lack of offense has contributed to the Bonnies 0-4 start. The Bonnies have a total of four runs in four games. But their schedule has been very difficult at the start of the 2015 season. The Bonnies currently have a .144 team average, but have faced quality pitchers.
“I wouldn’t call it a slump; they have faced some quality pitchers.,” Threehouse said.
Quality pitchers know how to work their way through lineups and provide their team with the outs necessary to win a game. Complete games are more common in the game of softball than in baseball.
It can be a shocking feeling when you show up and struggle to hit, according to Threehouse. The mental aspect of the game contributes to any sport an athlete takes a part in and Threehouse understands that. One thing the coaching staff stresses to the student-athletes is working on their approach to the plate. A better approach to the plate will let a hitter see more pitches and maybe draw walks for their team. Some of the best hitters in the game see the plate so well and wait for the pitch they are looking for to do some damage.
Charlotte, North Carolina, is the next destination for the team, as they will play Charlotte and Robert Morris on the Feb. 27. Charlotte, an A-10 opponent, lines up at 5-1 and winners of there last five games. Robert Morris has a record of 2-2, but both losses are by one run.
Threehouse stated that both teams are “good hitting teams” and the key for the Bonnies is going to “come from the circle.”
A factor that goes along with this solution is capitalizing on the opportunities when your own team steps into the batter’s box according to Threehouse, a thing that the Bonnies have struggled to do this year.
schreidj14@bonaventure.edu
