Jeff Tully
Providence High softball Coach Maggie Boozel might want to stencil
the saying "patience takes time" on the Pioneers' uniforms this
season.
With a new crop of players, and some of the returning starters
playing different positions, Boozel realizes it is going to take a
few games until her team gels and finds its identity.
She is just hoping her players will be as patient.
Some of Providence's growing pains showed Monday in a nonleague
game against Downey St. Matthias at Olive Park. The Pioneers couldn't
battle back from an early deficit and were defeated, 5-1.
"We have eight new players on our team this season," said Boozel,
whose team is 0-4. "And we have three girls who are playing different
positions, and it will take some time before they get used to those
new positions.
"We know that we are going to have to work some things out in our
[nonleague] games. But we have been getting better every game, and
that's what we're looking at."
Although winning is important to Boozel and the Pioneers, dropping
their share of nonleague games is no reason to panic. The coach is
just hoping her squad has its game together when it opens Liberty
League play at 3:30 p.m. March 18 against North Hollywood Oakwood at
Olive Park.
"That game is one that will really matter to us," Boozel said.
"All of theses games we are playing now are to get us ready for
league. League is where we really want to do well."
Last season, the Pioneers had to win their final league game,
26-25, to finish third and qualify for the CIF Southern Section
Division VI playoffs.
The Pioneers and starting pitcher Lauren Suedkamp got into trouble
early, as the Victorians (1-0) scored three runs on one hit in the
first inning.
Along with a two-run double by Priscilla Ramirez, Suedkamp also
hit two batters and gave up two walks.
Providence responded with a run of its own in the bottom half of
the inning, as Liz Roche led off with a bunt and scored on a double
by Suedkamp.
The Pioneers threatened in the third inning after singles by
Suedkamp and Stephanie Blair. However, they couldn't bring any runs
home.
The Pioneers' offense sputtered the final four innings, as they
could only muster two hits from Danielle Austin and Lauren Upshaw.
The Victorians added single runs in the third and seventh innings.
Suedkamp was two for three with an run batted in.
*
*--*
BOX SCORE
*--*
*--*
St. Matthias 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 -- 5 4 1
Providence 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 -- 1 7 5
*--*
*--*
St. Matthias IP H R ER BB K
Castillo 7 7 1 1 0 4
*--*
*--*
Providence IP H R ER BB K
Suedkamp 7 4 5 3 4 4
*--*
*--*
WP-- Castillo (1-1)
LP-- Suedkamp (0-1)
2B: SM-Ramirez, Fisher.
SB: SM-Porras (2), Ramirez, Vargas.
*--*
