By Eustace Q. Browne
Staff Writer
The St. Bonaventure softball team (4-22,1-2) has had a difficult first half to its season, but after playing 23 games on the road the team is looking forward to a little home cooking as it continues an important 12-game home stand.
Coach Michael Treehouse said he was relieved to finally have a home game
“It was fantastic, and obviously the rest of the week, we’re going to be home so that makes it better, and we’re looking forward to that,” Threehouse said.
After two losses to Binghamton early in the week, the Bonnies finally played their first home game on April 6 at the softball diamond against Saint Louis after having their doubleheader canceled due to rain on April 5.
Freshman pitcher Kristen Hickling received the start for the Bonnies against Saint Louis. Hickling went seven innings and allowed four earned runs and three walks with no strikeouts in a win.
The Bonnies put together a five-run rally in the bottom of the fourth inning to tie the score at five. The inning was highlighted with a grand slam by senior centerfielder Ashley Snider.
The Bonnies won the game in the seventh inning on a walk-off, game-winning single by sophomore outfielder Emily Belfield that brought sophomore shortstop Emily McDonough home for a 6-5 final.
Threehouse, who was critical of his team’s attitude toward the outcome of games, praised his team for having a better attitude this game.
“I liked being down five to nothing and being able to come back, especially with the way we’ve being struggling this year,” Threehouse said. “But we kept playing, and they kept their attitude up and gave themselves an opportunity to win at the end, and they did it.”
Threehouse elaborated further on his team’s improved attitude:
“You can see a change. I think they’ve all bought into the fact that we needed to change,” Threehouse said. “We really concentrated on playing hard, hustling and competing, not just playing softball but competing, and I think they’ve all bought into that.”
The home stand continued for the Bonnies on Wednesday when they welcomed Canisius for a doubleheader.
The Bonnies fell twice to Canisius 9-7 and 10-5, respectively. In the first game, Bonnies starting pitcher Hickling struck out one batter and allowed three walks, seven earned runs and 10 hits over three and two-thirds innings.
Sophomore pitcher Carly Bilchak recorded a strikeout and allowed two earned runs, three walks and three hits in three and one-third innings of relief.
In the second game, sophomore pitcher Alexis Sloat struck out a batter and allowed seven earned runs and eight hits in two innings of work on the mound for the Bonnies.
Bilchak allowed three earned runs and eight hits with two strikeouts in five innings of relief.
The Bonnies are scheduled to welcome Massachusetts for a pair of games, one today at 3:00 p.m. and the other tomorrow at noon. The Bonnies have had virtually no success against UMass in their playing history going 1-42 in game against the Minutewomen in conference play.
Hickling will be the probable starter for game one.
