Softball is a game of inches; one errant pitch that results in a walk, one misjudged fly ball that isn't caught and a millisecond of indecision that causes a runner to score can cost a team not only runs, but wins.
This past weekend, the Geneseo softball team learned that lesson the hard way by losing to two one-run games to SUNY Fredonia.
The Knights fell behind early in the opener: sophomore pitcher Katie Gallagher surrendered two runs on four hits in the bottom of the first inning, and one run on two hits in the bottom of the fourth.
The Knights rallied back in the top of the fifth, scoring three runs off two Fredonia errors and a single by sophomore Janeanne LePage. In the bottom half of the fifth the Blue Devils broke the 3-3 tie with a one-out double and run-scoring single. Geneseo failed to score in the rest of the game, stranding three runners with two hits and falling 3-4. Sophomore Lexi Williams went 2-4 with an RBI and Gallagher took the loss despite striking out eight and walking only one.
"When you're losing one-run games all it takes is maybe getting that fifth bunt down or maybe making one more catch or throw," said head coach Tony Ciccarello. "That has happened to us at least twice; we didn't make the key catch or the throw."
In the second contest, Geneseo again fell behind early but rallied back with four runs on five hits including a key pinch-hit RBI double by sophomore Stefanie Rosenberg in the fifth inning. After tacking on another run in the sixth, the Knights let Fredonia back into the game, allowing two runs on two hits in the bottom of the seventh. The Blue Devils scratched out the game-winning run off a double in the bottom of the ninth to win 6-5.
Adding to the intrigue of conference play was the fact that Ciccarello's daughter, junior Gabrielle Ciccarello, suited up for Fredonia in the second game.
"When she's up, I just stand there. I don't say anything to my players," Ciccarello said. "I'm stuck in the middle. I want her to be successful but I don't want her hurting our team; it's a fine line and I struggle with it."
Gabrielle almost hurt the Knights big-time in the bottom of the third. She just missed a home run, and her hit fell in for a double. She ended the game going 1-3.
Despite being swept, Ciccarello remains confident: "We talk about a process and if we take care of the process and do what we're supposed to do, the winning will happen," he said. "We have to make the plays, which starts in practice and we have to get the clutch hits and not leave runners in scoring position."
On top of four one-run losses, three coming in the opponent's final at-bat, the Knights have had to deal with the inclement weather and key injuries.
"[The weather] has been terrible. We've been outside only two times since we've been back from break," Ciccarello said. "But I'm not a big excuse person. All the teams are in the same boat, in fact I think we have a better field with more opportunities to get on it."
For the past week the Knights have been competing without their No. 1 and 2 starters, senior Janine Montero and junior Mary Bostwick. Both are out on injuries. At this point there is no timetable for Bostwick's return, but Montero should be back within the week. In the meantime, the Knights will continue to lean on Gallagher and freshman Patricia Callahan, each of whom has provided solid outings.
Geneseo falls to 5-7 on the season and will travel to the University of Rochester on Thursday and then face SUNY Brockport at home on Saturday.
"Saturday is our ‘Strike-out Cancer' game and we're looking for a good crowd. It's for a good cause," Ciccarello said. All proceeds will be donated to the Breast Cancer Coalition for Rochester.u Softball is a game of inches; one errant pitch that results in a walk, one misjudged fly ball that isn't caught and a millisecond of indecision that causes a runner to score can cost a team not only runs, but wins.
This past weekend, the Geneseo softball team learned that lesson the hard way by losing to two one-run games to SUNY Fredonia.
The Knights fell behind early in the opener: sophomore pitcher Katie Gallagher surrendered two runs on four hits in the bottom of the first inning, and one run on two hits in the bottom of the fourth.
The Knights rallied back in the top of the fifth, scoring three runs off two Fredonia errors and a single by sophomore Janeanne LePage. In the bottom half of the fifth the Blue Devils broke the 3-3 tie with a one-out double and run-scoring single. Geneseo failed to score in the rest of the game, stranding three runners with two hits and falling 3-4. Sophomore Lexi Williams went 2-4 with an RBI and Gallagher took the loss despite striking out eight and walking only one.
"When you're losing one-run games all it takes is maybe getting that fifth bunt down or maybe making one more catch or throw," said head coach Tony Ciccarello. "That has happened to us at least twice; we didn't make the key catch or the throw."
In the second contest, Geneseo again fell behind early but rallied back with four runs on five hits including a key pinch-hit RBI double by sophomore Stefanie Rosenberg in the fifth inning. After tacking on another run in the sixth, the Knights let Fredonia back into the game, allowing two runs on two hits in the bottom of the seventh. The Blue Devils scratched out the game-winning run off a double in the bottom of the ninth to win 6-5.
Adding to the intrigue of conference play was the fact that Ciccarello's daughter, junior Gabrielle Ciccarello, suited up for Fredonia in the second game.
"When she's up, I just stand there. I don't say anything to my players," Ciccarello said. "I'm stuck in the middle. I want her to be successful but I don't want her hurting our team; it's a fine line and I struggle with it."
Gabrielle almost hurt the Knights big-time in the bottom of the third. She just missed a home run, and her hit fell in for a double. She ended the game going 1-3.