Softball Stars sweep twinbill at home

By Michael Leek
Sports Editor

The LCC softball team played its first home games of the season against the Alma JV on Wednesday, March 13. The Stars won both games 14-13 and 15-7.

The Stars took an 11-3 lead in the first three innings of game one. In the fourth inning LCC gave up four unanswered runs, but was able to hold onto the lead the rest of the game.

With these two wins the Stars improved their record to 4-10 on the season.

LCC Head Coach Marc Kibby said during the games over spring break the team was not batting well.

“Down on our southern trip we pitched the ball well but we didn’t hit that well,” Kibby said. “Our first game back here we hit the ball well, but did not pitch it very well.

LCC freshman Abby Fichtner backhands a groundball on March 13.  Photo by Kaitlyn Delaney.

In the first game against the Alma JV, LCC freshman Kyra Shadduck got the win on the mound and had four strikeouts.

Shadduck, sophomore center fielder Jenna Morse and freshman outfielder Malea Gardner all led the Stars’ offense with three hits. Morse and Gardner both hit a home run and Morse had five RBIs.

In the second game, sophomore pitcher Kelsey Merillat won the game for LCC.

Sophomore Paige Antcliff recorded two hits with three RBIs to lead the Stars offensively. Sophomore Aliyah Holman and freshman Isabelle Robinson each recorded two hits.

To keep up the good and consistent batting, Kibby said the team has to remain focused.

“The mental preparation we’ve been talking about in practice, if we can continue to do that I think we will swing the bats well all year,” Kibby said.

LCC sophomore Carly McLaren hits the ball toward third base during a home game against the Alma JV team at Ranney Park on March 13.  Photo by Kaitlyn Delaney

Morse said the team’s improvement in batting was due to the mindsets changing.

“What really helped,” Morse said, “was sitting down, talking through things and saying, ‘Hey girls, we play softball and we know how to do this. Let’s just relax, go out there and swing the bat like we know how.’”

The Stars’ next games will be Saturday, March 16 at home against Edison State. The first game will start at 1 p.m. at Ranney Park in Lansing.

Going into the game, Morse said the team will continue to work on consistency in all aspects of the game.

“We could be so good if we just have that consistent rhythm with everything,” Morse said. “Once we get that core ‘consistency is key’ theme down, I feel like we will be really successful.”