Softball team wins seventh straight

By Jayden Hewitt
Sports Editor

The LCC softball team earned two victories on Tuesday, March. 28 at home vs. Aquinas JV. The Lady Stars won 14-6 in the first game and 8-0 in the second game.

The doubleheader sweep came after another sweep on March 25. In a conference showdown vs. Jackson College, LCC won 4-0 and 10-6.

The Lady Stars have now won seven games in a row, and have been putting up big numbers at the plate as of late. LCC Head Coach Marc Kibby spoke about his team’s hot bats.

“Hitting is contagious,” Kibby remarked. “They are feeding off each other with hit after hit, and their confidence in themselves and each other. One hundred percent of swings (are) paying off.”

LCC infielder Shelby Warner went four for six in the two games against the Aquinas JV team, tallying three RBIs.

Pitcher/outfielder Madison Travis did work both on the mound and with the bat for LCC, going three for five with a home run and three RBIs in the doubleheader. Travis also dazzled with three innings of one-hit baseball, earning her third win on the year.

The second game featured two home runs, one hit by pitcher/infielder Jillian Harris, the other by outfielder Raygan Williams.

LCC’s pitching staff has been very good as of late, allowing just 12 runs in the past four games. Kibby spoke about his starters from the Aquinas games.

“Morgan (Ahlfeld) has been throwing well, hitting her spots,” Kibby said. “The bats have taken the pressure off her of having to be perfect and not allow any runs to score. Maddy (Madison Travis) has come along and (is) gaining confidence in her pitching.

“We try (to) bring our freshman pitchers along slowly, gaining experience as we go, and Maddy has accepted her role and is running with it.”

Despite the hot play, Kibby believes every game is a new type of test for his team.

“Well, I'd like to say the tough (early-season) schedule has something to do with it, but it's more about this team,” Kibby said. “Working, learning, executing, believing in each other as a team. As I tell them, every practice is a day in the classroom. Every game is an exam, and right now they (are) getting A's. But tomorrow is another exam, (we) have to keep working.”

LCC’s record improved to 8-13 and 4-0 in MCCAA conference play with the two wins over Aquinas JV.

The next games are scheduled for today, March 30, at home in a conference doubleheader vs. Ancilla College. The first game starts at 3 p.m. at Ranney Park on Lansing’s east side.