Don’t tell the 2009 Baker softball team that close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
The Wildcats, who missed the conference playoffs by just one game, are pleased with what they accomplished this season – a year that can only be considered a substantial turnaround from 2008.
“I think it was a big improvement from last year,” junior Chelsi Taylor said. “We had better cohesion and we played well together.”
Tuesday marked the end of the turnaround as the ‘Cats fell in the final doubleheader of the regular season to the William Jewell College Cardinals, 3-2 and 5-3.
Baker entered the game in a tie for eighth place in the Heart of America Athletic Conference with Benedictine College.
“We knew going into the game that we basically had to win more games than Benedictine on the same day (Tuesday) to go to the playoffs,” sophomore Amanda Phelps said.
Phelps pitched a complete game in the first contest and split the responsibility with Taylor in the nightcap. The women said the squad played fairly solid defense, but a few costly errors led to the loss.
“Our defense kept us in the game,” Phelps said. “But we had a passed ball and an overthrow to the pitcher that scored two runs. Other than that, our defense has gotten more solid throughout the season.”
The Wildcats demonstrated the tenacity and never-give-up attitude that allowed them to nearly triple their win count from last season during the second game of the doubleheader. After falling behind 5-0 early in the contest, Baker used its final inning of the season to nearly mount a furious comeback.
With junior Kelsey Epperson and freshman Brooke Allen on base – arguably the Wildcat's fastest players – freshman Allie Losey came up to bat. <br/>"I really thought we had it there," senior manager Erin Blackburn said. "I was on the edge of my seat.""I really thought we had it there," senior manager Erin Blackburn said. "I was on the edge of my seat."
“I really thought we had it there,” senior manager Erin Blackburn said. “I was on the edge of my seat.”
But a called third strike against Losey ended the game.
“The pitch was way outside,” Taylor said. “She had to lean in just to get a look at it. None of us could believe the umpire called it.”
Despite the loss, the people involved with the program believe it will continue on its path and be even better next season.
“I was extremely proud,” Blackburn said.
“I think all the (women) came through in a different game at some point, so that was really nice. I’m going to miss being around them.”
The Wildcats finished their 2009 season 13-24 overall and 6-14 in the league.
This record was a 10-game improvement from last year.
