By Eustace Q. Browne
Staff Writer
The St. Bonaventure softball team’s crucial stretch of six conference games out of eight has not started off well. The Bonnies fell twice in a double-header against La Salle in Philadelphia on March 23, dropping the team to a 3-18 record, the worst in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Coach Michael Threehouse wasn’t pleased with what he saw.
“I was worried with what I saw at La Salle, and I let the team know that,” Threehouse said. “We’ve got some work to do, but it’s early in the A-10 season, and there’s no reason why we can’t turn it around.”
Throughout the season, Threehouse has maintained a sense of optimism about his team when it comes to turning the corner and winning games consistently, but now, it seems that optimism has faded and a frustration has set in.
“We have to get to the point where losing is unacceptable,” Threehouse said. “I think we’ve gotten to the point where it’s easy to lose, and we’ve got to change that attitude.”
Threehouse has noticed a “lack of hunger” or a “lack of caring” among his players about the outcome of games this season. He noted that the games at La Salle were an example of the team’s attitude towards its games.
“I always give this team credit. They stick together as unit, but the bottom line is we have to start taking wins and losses more seriously,” he said.
Despite Threehouse’s criticism of the team’s attitude toward the outcome of their games, he had high praise for three of his players who have had great seasons at the plate.
Sophomore shortstop Emily McDonough leads the team with a .371 batting average, slugging percentage and on-base percentage, junior outfielder Kelli Rohan who has .343 batting average and sophomore first baseman Katie Rohan who has a .321 batting average.
“They’ve been impressive, they’re getting on base, they’re moving runners and doing everything they need to do, and they’ve played tremendous defense as well,” Threehouse said.
Threehouse didn’t have much to say about his rotation other than there has been no standout. He noted that he’s given freshman pitcher Kristen Hickling her 10 starts this season simply because she has the best numbers.
“She’s the best pitcher on the team, and the numbers back it up,” Threehouse said. “She’s going to get more starts, and the other pitchers are going to get their shot, and when they do, they’ve got to get it done.”
Threehouse also tabbed Hickling as his probable starter for game one against George Mason, who the Bonnies will play for the first time since George Mason’s move to the A-10 this season.
“The next game is always the most important game, that’s the way the A-10 is and that’s how we have to handle it. We have to go game-by-game,” he said.
With the A-10 tournament on the horizon, and only six spots available, the Bonnies are one game out of the sixth and final seed. Threehouse noted that despite the team starting out 0-2 in the A-10 there’s still no need to worry.
“It’s not time to panic, but it’s time to have a sense of urgency,” Treehouse said.
The Bonnies will travel to Fairfax, Va. for a Saturday doubleheader against George Mason
