Sang Lee
GROSS PARK -- It might be a little unfair for Providence High softball
team to judge its season in wins and losses. Considering almost the
entire team is new to the program, the Pioneers' 5-3 nonleague loss to
Bellarmine-Jefferson High on Friday at Gross Park was not all that bad.
"We played very well and inspired ball," Providence Coach Tony King
said. "Half these girls couldn't catch [the ball] at the tryouts. And
people who didn't think they would make the team are now starting."
The game might have been closer if the inexperienced Pioneer squad had
not given up three runs off errors in the first inning.
"We had one bad inning but we battled hard. We're experimenting with
positions but we're starting to jell and play more as a team," King
added.
Bell-Jeff (3-5) was led by starting pitcher Christina Saldana, who
threw a complete-game, allowing one earned run and picking up four strike
outs. She improved her record to 3-4.
"[The team] was up to winning this game," said Bell-Jeff Coach Marco
Saldana, who has not beaten Providence in his three years at the Guards'
helm.
"It's been a while [since we beat them]. It's a good feeling. It was
the best game we ever played. We have young girls and they played their
hearts out."
Theresa Reyes led the Guards with two singles and two runs.
"Theresa did a great job today. She played a very good game," Saldana
said.
The Pioneers (1-12) got on the board in the third inning when Candice
Koeth drove in Stephanie Cowan from third base.
Bell-Jeff answered in the fourth as Jennie Arboleda was guided home as
Threresa Reyes' hit blooped into right field.
Both teams matched runs in the fifth and sixth innings.
Down, 5-2, in the bottom of the seventh inning, Providence added a run
when Cowan doubled in Jennifer Hanson from second base.
But not even the emotional chants from the Pioneer bench was enough to
cool down Saldana on the mound. Saldana finishedby recording a strike out
with the potential game-tying batter at the plate.
Providence's leadoff hitter Jennifer Hanson finished the game hitting
three for four with two runs. Candice Koeth and Stephanie Cowan both
added two hits earc, with Cowan scoring the team's only other run.
"We battled hard. But we're a very young team with only one returning
senior. I've got three freshmen starting. We're still a
work-in-progress."
The Pioneer's sole victory came on Mar. 7, a 21-3 trouncing against
St. Genevieve. Their next game will be against league foe, Windward on
Tuesday at Olive Park.
Bell-Jeff will look try to pick up its first league win as it will
face Cantwell Sacred Heart on Monday.
