After nearly seven weeks of non-conference play, the Baker University softball team played its first Heart of America Athletic Conference games against Graceland University Wednesday.
BU and Graceland needed extra innings in both games, but the Yellowjackets came away with 3-2 victories in both contests.
“In game one, we had some opportunities and just didn’t take advantage of it,” head coach Matt Windle said. “At one point in extra innings, we had a runner on third base with no outs and we couldn’t put her across the plate to win.”
Although Baker was not able to get the victory, sophomore Maggie Holmberg recorded a career-high 17 strikeouts.
Windle believed the difference in game two was similar to that of game one.
“In neither game did we hit very well,” Windle said. “Our pitching staff was awesome tonight.”
While the Wildcats were disappointed in the results from Wednesday, they were pleased to have senior Brooke Allen back in the lineup after she was sidelined due to a broken nose.
“I loved being back out there,” Allen said. “My teammates (have been) behind me the whole way even when I wasn’t on the field.”
The Wildcats’ first conference games were scheduled to be played March 24 against Missouri Valley College, but were rescheduled for April 19 because of rain.
Although showers hindered the ’Cats from taking on Missouri Valley, BU was still able to face William Woods University Saturday.
Holmberg set the tone for the Wildcats in game one by throwing a complete game shutout in Baker’s 4-0 win.
“She’s done extremely well lately,” Windle said. “Her win/loss record doesn’t show it. Unfortunately when she pitches, we don’t give her a whole lot of run support.”
The win for Holmberg was her second straight complete game shutout and earned her the HAAC Softball Pitcher of the Week.
“It was really flattering to get that award because there are so many good pitchers in our league,” Holmberg said.
Sophomore Erin Greenwood found herself in a pitchers’ duel with William Woods’ Kelsey Schulte in game two. The game was scoreless until the ninth inning when Baker got on the scoreboard after scoring a run after two Owls’ errors.
WWU responded with an RBI single from Sam Parsons to tie the game at 1-1 going into the 10th inning.
After holding the Wildcats scoreless in the top of the 10th, Schulte helped out her own cause in the bottom of the inning by knocking in the game-winning run to give the Owls a 2-1 victory.
BU will go for its first HAAC win against Culver-Stockton College Saturday in Canton, Mo.
“Those are must-win (games),” Windle said. “Our goal is to go out and win conference and (Wednesday) kind of set us back and we’re kind of frustrated. This (weekend’s games) are must-win games.”