Softball saw superb regular season, strives to sustain success in playoffs

Ryan McFarlane, Sport's Editor

Throughout the offseason and the regular season, the team has had their sights set on a deep playoff run.  The Lady Wildcats are currently 16-5 and 9-1 in the region.  Their only regional loss came from Godwin on May 10.

The captains this year were seniors Angela Sperandeo and Olivia Sigler.

“I try to encourage the young players we have, and also set a good example of hard work and dedication to the sport,” Sperandeo said.

Sperandeo headlined the team this season as the ace pitcher.  This season, the Lynchburg softball commit has 46 innings pitched and faced 230 batters, but has only given up 50 hits.  She has only 30 earned runs in their 19 games played so far this season.  However, Sperandeo doesn’t just excel in the circle, she also is batting .462 with 16 RBI’s and 4 home runs.

“During the game, I just work hard not to let up big hits. I try to keep them to playable ground balls or fly balls so that my teammates can make plays.  While at the plate, my goal is to get on base and move the runners around,” Sperendeo said.

This year, the season series between the rival, Godwin, was split 1-1.  On April 14, the team won the first if the two game bout with a score of 4-3.  However, on May 10, the team hosted Godwin in game 2.  Godwin started out of the gates hot and scored two runs in the first inning.  By the bottom of the seventh inning, the score was 9-2 in favor of the Eagles.  With lots of heart shown, the lead was cut to just four with two outs, with multiple runners in scoring position.  Ultimately, the team came up short in the hard fought contest between the two heavyweights in the region.

As the 2019 campaign comes to a close, the focus has been shifted towards the playoffs.

“Our main priority is to go deep into the playoffs,” Sigler said.

With a fresh slate ahead for the postseason, the team aspires for a ‘deep run’ in the playoffs.