Softball working through slow start to season

The Wright State softball team improved to 3-14 on the year after splitting a pair of one run decisions against Michigan State and Central Michigan Saturday at the Hoosier Classic in Bloomington, IN.

WSU overcame a 1-0 deficit in the first game against the Spartans thanks to an MSU error that allowed left fielder Alanna Williams to reach base safely as right fielder Alex Machen scored to tie the game. The Raiders took the lead in the top half of the sixth inning when shortstop Hanna Floyd connected on a pitch to send pinch runner Jess Gorman to third. Gorman then scored on a passed ball to give WSU the lead for good.

In the second game against the Chippewas, the Raiders again fell behind 1-0 after CMU shortstop CarolAnn Sexauer drove in a run at the top of the fourth inning. WSU responded in the fifth with two runs after CMU pitcher Morgan Yuncker walked Raiders’ second baseman Angie Clark to load the bases. Gorman then delivered the go-ahead two-run single to give WSU a 2-1 lead.

The Chippewas regained the lead with two runs in the following inning and hung on to beat WSU 3-2.

The Raiders were set to play against Central Michigan and Indiana on Sunday, but both games were cancelled due to poor weather conditions.

WSU has been in several close games this season, and the team is 3-9 in games decided by two runs or less. But for head coach Lynn Curylo, the Raiders’ record is not indicative of their level of play.

“I would just say that our record doesn’t represent what we’ve been doing out on the field,” Curylo said. “We’re a pretty young team and for them to just continue to battle and compete with these opponents that we’re facing has kept me excited. I know that if we keep working hard, this journey is hopefully going to end up really positive.”

When WSU takes the field against Bowling Green in a doubleheader Friday, the Raiders will play in the friendly confines of the WSU Softball Field for the first time this season.

Curylo says the challenging schedule her team played out of state was used as a barometer for gauging her player’s abilities.

“I think it comes down to what my approach is and what the goal is, and the goal is to get ready for conference play,” Curylo said. “Our goal isn’t just to win the Horizon League—we want to do well in the postseason, too. You have to play the best out there in order to give you an opportunity to see where you stand and what it is you need to work on.”

WSU opens conference play this weekend with a three game series against defending Horizon League champion Valparaiso.