Senior day at Cavaness Field marked the end of the season for the Baker University softball team and concluded two Wildcat careers.
Seniors Kendra Cody and Leslie Kersting played their final collegiate games on Sunday against Missouri Valley College.
In game one of the doubleheader, Cody started in the circle for the Wildcats. However, the ‘Cats didn’t give her much support as they struggled defensively and stranded multiple runners in a 9-5 loss.
In the season finale, freshman MarKaye Strickland couldn’t get through the second inning for the Wildcats as Missouri Valley jumped out to a nine-run lead. Head coach Jennifer Rigdon again turned to her senior, Cody, to pitch the rest of the way.
Baker struggled again defensively and couldn’t recover from the early deficit, losing 17-7.
Kersting, however, ended her career with a bang. In her final at-bat as a Wildcat, Kersting hit a two-run home run.
In action on Saturday, Baker faced Culver-Stockton College in a Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader. Baker battled in game one but came up short, losing 5-4. In game two, the Wildcats struggled mightily and lost 12-0.
Freshman second baseman Marriann Dugan said it was a frustrating weekend for the ‘Cats.
“This weekend was a little rough,” she said. “(Missouri Valley) came out hitting the ball well, and we just couldn’t match their performance. Also, defensively we need to sharpen up a little bit; that’s really all there is to it.”
The Baker softball team had to win all four games against Culver-Stockton and Missouri Valley to have a shot at the conference tournament.
With the four losses, the ‘Cats ended up short of the postseason. This is the first time since Rigdon has been at Baker that her team has failed to make the conference tournament.
Assistant coach Jade Geuther said talent was not the reason the Wildcats came up short this year.
“We obviously had the talent; otherwise the girls wouldn’t be playing college ball, but I don’t feel like we were ever a true “team” all season,” she said. “I don’t feel like we did the little things that contribute to victories, and it showed in our record.
“I wish the team the best of luck next year; let’s get back to the winning tradition of Baker softball. Also, I wish the seniors moving on from softball have all had an impact on the program.”
Dugan said the ‘Cats must look to next year now.
“Not making it to the postseason is always a disappointment,” Dugan said. “There is really nothing we can do about not making it at this point, so now we must look to the future and figure out what needs to be done next year, and we know we have to work that much harder to get there.”Also, Dugan said the team must work hard to improve for the future.
“Next year I believe we will be tough,” she said. “But you have to be willing to work in order to get better. We are going to be a young team again next year, but we know what we have to do to get the job done and we know that we must work that much harder next year.”
Assistant coach Emily Grabner, who played for the Baker volleyball team during her tenure as a Wildcat, said both seniors will be missed.
“Leslie is a great leader on and off the field,” she said. “She works hard for the team and herself. She will be missed. Kendra has been a great player for four years in not only softball but volleyball as well. I had the opportunity to play with her in volleyball and coach her in softball, and she has been exceptional in everything she does. She was a true leader on this team.”
Cody and Kersting made lasting impressions on the teammates they played with. Dugan said she looked to them for leadership.
“They were the leaders of the team both off and on the field, and they showed that through their actions. I am so glad I had the opportunity to play along side both of them. They have taught me a lot about being a college athlete, and they will be greatly missed,” she said.
