In Biggs' absence, the Pioneers (2-1) have had to rely on junior Natalie Kasbarian to handle the pitching duties. Kasbarian (2-1) has performed admirably, gaining nonleague wins against Brentwood and L.A. Lutheran.
Against the Tigers, however, Kasbarian got in her share of jams, giving up nine hits, striking out four and walking one.
"We know with Natalie [in the circle] we have to play well behind her," said Providence Coach Maggie Boozel, whose team is ranked No. 3 in Division VII. "We didn't do that [Thursday].
"I think the main reason why we lost is that we made some mistakes in the field that led to runs."
Westridge pitcher Taylor Daugherty (2-1) survived one bad inning to gain the win. Along with surrendering nine hits ? five in the second inning when Providence scored all seven of its runs ? she struck out nine and walked three.
In their first two games, Boozel said her Pioneers saw nothing like the velocity and pitch variance that Daugherty possessed.
"I am surprised that we were able to get as many hits as we did against this pitcher," Boozel said. "The other pitchers we faced were a lot slower.
"But I would much rather face a pitcher like we did [Thursday]. It does our hitters no good to go against a pitcher who just barely gets the ball over the plate."
With three weeks left until the Pioneers begin defense of their Liberty League championship, Boozel said she is hoping Biggs will be completely healed by that time.
Biggs proved invaluable to the team last season, posting a 12-4 record with a 1.44 earned-run average, 119 strikeouts and 12 walks in 102 innings.
"We still have time until league starts," Boozel said. "This was only our third game of the season and we will regroup and come back."
