The North Central Missouri College softball team opened its season on Saturday afternoon at Griffin Field.
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The North Central Missouri College softball team opened its season on Saturday afternoon at Griffin Field.
The Lady Pirates entered the season with seven sophomores from last year’s team, which qualified for the Division I national tournament.
?Our biggest asset is experience. We have seven sophomores and we return our entire infield,? Head Coach Max Mothersbaugh said. ?Last season we had the best defense in school history and I am not sure we won’t be better this season.?
Returning at first base is Tabby Smith. Dana Lucas is at second base and Lindee Corkins plays shortstop. Taron Brewer enters the season as the Lady Pirates’ starting third baseman.
?Our middle infield is very solid,? Mothersbaugh said. ?Corkins and Lucas combined for only 14 errors all of last season.”
Behind the plate is Katy Roberts, who will be catching for starter DeAnna McQueen, who went 20-4 for NCMC last season.
?McQueen had a very good fall practice season. She has a killer rising ball and she has added a very workable change-up,? Mothersbaugh said.
The North Central outfield has six girls competing for three spots. Offensively, look for the Lady Pirate to be very quick on the bases. This year’s team has focused on moving players around more on the bases, according to Mothersbaugh
?Overall, we have good team speed,” Mothersbaugh said. “Good teams typically play to win 1-0 or 2-1. In a big game, good teams wont usually win 10-8. Defense, pitching and timely hitting are what wins big games.?
The Lady Pirates finished last season with 39-11 record. NCMC opened the season with a pair of wins over Meramec Community College on Saturday afternoon.
The Lady Pirates beat Meramec in the first contest, 2-1. McQueen was the winning pitcher, allowing one unearned run on four hits. She did not walk a batter and finished with four strikeouts.
The Lady Pirates took the lead in the second inning. Meramec tied the game in the top of the sixth before NCMC’s Natalie Dunn hit a home run in the bottom of the inning, which proved to be the difference in the game.
Dunn finished the game with a home run and two runs scored. Corkins went two-for-three.
?I was tickled with these wins. We beat one of the best teams, if not the best team, on our schedule,? Mothersbaugh said.
NCMC beat the Lady Magic in game two, 3-2. Lacey Porter was the winning pitcher. She allowed two runs on four hits. She struck out six and walked four.
?Lacey didn?t have her best stuff, but she battled and kept the game close so her teammates could win it for her,? Mothersbaugh said.
Dunn went 3-for-3 with a double in the second game. Corkins and Abby Gear each had an RBI.
The Lady Pirates begin the season at 2-0. NCMC will be at home on Wednesday, hosting Central Methodist College in a 4 p.m. matchup at Griffin Field.