Softball squad splits home twinbill

By Jayden Hewitt
Sports Editor

The LCC softball team split a doubleheader in a home conference clash vs. Jackson College on Sunday, April 30. The Lady Stars dropped the first game 12-2 and won the second game 4-1.

LCC is 8-2 in the last 10 games, starting a hot streak right as the end of the regular season is coming quickly. LCC Head Coach Marc Kibby spoke about his team’s torrid end of the season.

“It's always a good thing to have a run going at the end of the season,” Kibby said. “It’s always a worry for coaches that the team is peaking too early, but this team has a focus and will be ready for (the) post-season.”

Pitcher/outfielder Madison Travis pitched in the first game and suffered the loss for LCC. Kelsey Merrilat pitched in relief. In the second game, pitcher Morgen Ahlfeld racked up her 15th win in a dominant effort. Ahlfeld allowed just one run on two hits in seven innings.

LCC clubbed four home runs during the doubleheader. Catcher/infielder Paige Antcliff and Raygan Williams tallied a home run each in the first game, accounting for the Lady Stars’ two runs. In the second game, pitcher/infielder Jillian Harris slugged a home run for LCC as did Travis.

Infielder Shelby Warner racked up four hits and one RBI in the doubleheader for the Stars.

Kibby spoke about the doubleheader split.

“We wanted to win both; this game shows me something new all the time,” Kibby said. “I've never seen this, they scored 12 runs (in the first game), all runs scored with two outs. They hit them where we weren't. And we didn't hit.

“The second game, Morgen (Ahlfeld) pitched and the offense hit. That is what we need to do from here on out.”

With the postseason looming, Kibby spoke about his team’s preparation after a long regular season.

“This is where the mental side becomes more of a factor,” Kibby said. “Athletes are creatures of habit, (they’re) structured, they know practice times, game times, study time and bed time. Now, (in the) postseason, you could play at 10 a.m., 3 p.m. (or) 6 p.m. (They) must be mentally tough to handle change.”

The split came after a sweep at home vs. Ancilla College on April 29. LCC won 21-3 and 16-5.

LCC’s record is now 27-18 and 20-4 in the MCCAA Western Conference. The Lady Stars are now a game ahead of Jackson College in the Western Conference standings heading into the home stretch of the season.