Scott BresslerWashington University’s softball team looks set to rack up several wins at the St. Louis Invitational this weekend.
Despite dropping their last three games, the team does not seem fazed.
“We need to focus on playing our game and not let what the other team does affect how we play,” said junior Lindsay Cavarra, a captain.
When the Bears are on top of their game, it is hard to stop them, as demonstrated throughout the UAA Tournament.
The Red and Green earned a slew of UAA awards after Wash. U. won their fifth consecutive title with a 7-1 record. The Bears swept the top honors as Head Coach Leticia Pineda-Boutte and Assistant Coaches Stacy Mui and Kris Caldwell were named Coaching Staff of the Year.
Senior Karli Stander was recognized as MVP of the Year, leading the UAA by scoring ten runs and stealing seven for seven bases in eight games.
“I owe it all to my teammates,” said Stander. “I wouldn’t have been able to score all those runs without them.”
Freshman Claire Voris earned Rookie of the Year Honors with a 5-0 record on the mound. Voris struck out 46 batters including a school record tying 17 batters against Case. Voris also excelled offensively with a team best .583.
Senior Laura D’Andrea, who hit two homers, was also recognized to the first team All-UAA. Classmate Krista Swip was named to the second team while sophomore Ally Berenter received honorable mention. Swip sparked the comeback in the 8-6 come-from-behind victory over Emory with a homer in the last inning while Berenter led the team with seven RBIs.
“The mark of a good teammate in my mind is somebody who steps up when the game is on the line,” said Stander.
Wartburg 8, Wash. U. 2
Wartburg 6, Wash. U. 8
The Bears dropped both games on Friday as No. 14 Wartburg broke tight games wide open with some clutch hitting. Wash. U. was unable to pull off the comebacks that they have been known for this year.
“We were slow to make adjustments at the plate and it showed,” said Cavarra. “But we know what we need to improve on and that will help us the rest of the season.”
Voris suffered her first career loss while senior Kaylyn Eash took the other loss on the mound.
Cavarra had the one bright spot of the doubleheader, knocking her first long ball out of the park this season in the first game. But Wartburg’s five runs in the third inning of the first frame were too much to overcome.
“We need to focus on working as a team and getting hit after hit,” said Stander.
The team’s doubleheader against Incarnate Word University scheduled for Thursday was canceled due to bad weather.
The Bears will remain at home for the St. Louis Invitational this weekend. Wash. U. takes on neighbor Fontbonne University at 10 a.m. and the College of St. Scholastica at noon on Saturday. The Red and Green cap the invitational against Central College at noon and Maryville University at 2 p.m. on Sunday.