The West Chester softball team, currently 19-7 and 1-1 in the PSAC East, is looking forward to eight back-to-back conference games within the next week against Millersville, Kutztown and Shippensburg. The Lady Rams are confident about the upcoming games; however senior infielder Megan Harbaugh mentioned that Kutztown is their biggest competition. The Rams have been played tough in every game so far this year and their record shows that they are in close-range of reaching their goal of going to the PSAC playoffs.
“We were one game away from the PSAC’s last year, and this year we have worked just as hard,” Harbaugh said. “We have great talent and have grown as a team. We have a chance to do anything.”
Like the old saying goes, “a team who plays together, wins together” the Lady Rams do just that. They are not only united during games, but off the field as well.
“All of the girls on the team are really close friends so we spend a lot of time together,” junior outfielder Evelyn Anderson said. “We always try to get everyone on the team involved and try to do whole team activities such as going to the movies and dinner at the cafe.”
The girls have worked extra hard this year at practices and at games to prepare for the spring season. The Rams are very supportive of each other during games. Sophomore catcher Kate Kmiencinksi mentioned that every player has a different handshake they do with one another before the game. Also, once head coach Diane Lokey is done talking to the umpires, the Lady Rams get into a huddle and yell “Hoorah” in order to signal that they are ready for the game to begin.
The Lady Rams played a double-header against the University of Sciences on March 24. West Chester came out on top, winning game one 8-0 and game two 8-1. The Rams pummeled USP in five innings during the first game, which gave the purple and gold bragging rights.
Senior infielder Megan Halberstadt and Kate Kmiencinski hit back-to-back home runs during the first game. Also against the Devils, Harbaugh hit a two-run homer. Halberstadt finished 2-for-4 from the plate with four RBI’s and junior infielder Samantha Ingersoll went 5-7 from the plate with three RBI’s. Evelyn Anderson continued her strong start for the Lady Rams while going 2-for-4 from the plate and scoring four runs.
Freshman pitcher, Samantha Soprano hit her first home run of her college career on Tuesday. Soprano also had an outstanding pitching effort allowing one run, walking four players and striking out one. Senior left-handed pitcher Shannon Padula also held down the Devils, as she has done so many opponents throughout her brilliant West Chester career. She pitched five innings, striking out four USP batters. As shown by her impressive pitching record, 10-3, Padula has made a complete recovery from her shoulder injury last year.
“She had surgery and has worked so hard to overcome her injury and be back for the season,” Harbaugh said. “She has great work ethic and never complains. Her hard work will pay off.”
The rest of the season poses a lot of challenges for the Lady Rams and Harbaugh is optimistic about the upcoming game versus Kutztown.
“We are looking forward to playing them and beating the best competition in our league,” Harbaugh said.
West Chester has put up a good fight so far this season and they’re confident about making their dream of making it to the PSAC playoffs a reality.
Jillian Morgan is a second-year student majoring in communication studies. She can be reached at JM652349@wcupa.edu.