»Joshua Stephenson, Staff Writer
The story of the Lady Govs Softball season has been their inability to close games that they have a chance of winning.
“It’s really about putting it all together,” said head coach Stephanie Paris. “When that happens we will get some wins.”
The three game stand at UT Martin ended with three losses (8-4, 4-3, and 5-2); the Lady Govs fell to 10-16 on the season and 3-8 away from the friendly confines of home.
Paris, who is in her first season as Lady Govs softball head coach, said it’s usually one of three things that keeps her team from winning the game.
“It’s either we don’t have a good outing from our pitcher, or we are not hitting, or we make a mistake on defense,” said coach Paris, she is waiting for her team to be able to put it all together. “When that day comes we will get some wins.”
The Lady Govs, who are currently 4-5 at home and 3-3 on neutral sites, have really struggled in conference play so far posting a 1-7 record.
“Timely hitting is everything. We had bases loaded in the first inning and left them on,” Paris said after their final loss in the three game stand against the Skyhawks. “We are getting runners on base, we are just not getting them in.”
The talent for this Lady Govs team is there; they have the tools to be a good team, but so far this year their “Achilles heel” has been the inability to be consistent game in and game out.
Lauren de Castro has been one of the most consistent players for the Lady Govs so far this season batting .370 with 14 RBI’s and also has the best ERA on the team at 3.32 and a 5-7 record on the mound.
“De Castro has really done a great job,” Paris said. “She really came through this weekend with her hits.”
With six days in between series the Lady Govs have a chance to regroup, focus and turn their attention towards Morehead State, who come in for a three game stand starting Saturday, April.
“It will be great to be at home. We’ve been on the road for two weeks straight,” Paris said. “We definitely need to be at home, be comfortable, and be relaxed; just play our game and put things together and be ready.”
