Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 Monmouth, OR - The 2014 season came to a close on Sunday for the Simon Fraser University Clan softball team against the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Champion Western Oregon Wolves, as WOU defeated the Clan 9-0 and 10-2.
"It was a season like none other and certainly one that we'll look to put behind us," said Head Coach
Mike Renney. "The off season will provide ample opportunity for review and reflection with a concerted mindset to learn from the trying times and the experiences a young team has gone through."
In game one,
Jessica Fortier (Three Hills, AB) got the start for SFU.
She pitched four innings in a game that was shortened by the mercy rule as Western Oregon scored nine runs on 14 hits, eight of which were earned.
The Clan's best opportunity came in the second inning when SFU loaded the bases.
The inning started with an
Alex Baylak (Regina, SK) single down the right field line.
Robyn Mogavero (Whitby, ON) followed up the Baylak single by beating out a bunt to put runners on first and second.
After a pop out,
Lorissa Thompson (Regina, SK) reached on an error to load the bases but the threat would end there as WOU retired the next two batters to get out of the jam.
SFU had four hits in the game as Mogavero led the way going two for two while Baylak and
Rachel Proctor (Surrey, BC) each singled.
"Our top pitcher missed the entire season, our second pitcher on this road trip in a walking cast and we are awaiting surgery for our starting shortstop and those depleted forces just adds to the adversity that this young team had to face. We were resilient but under armed and undermanned," continued Renney.
In the second game, Western Oregon scored 10 runs on eight hits.
Fortier pitched the majority of the game, throwing three innings and allowing two hits and no runs while
Mackenzie Bender (St. Albert, AB) also saw action in the pitchers spot.
After a tough first inning that saw WOU score 10 runs, the Clan got on the board with a
Nicole Ratel (Langley, BC) home run in the top of the second.
"Today was symbolic of much of our season in that we sat through two or three rain delays and the dark clouds stayed around for the starts of both games. As has been the case this year we haven't started well and our pitchers haven't come out ready to perform at the level that's expected," continued Renney.
The Clan threatened in the fifth inning as
Shelby McCannel (Lake Stevens, WA) scored SFU's second run of the game.
Ratel led off the inning with a walk before McCannel singled through the left side to give the Clan runners on first and second.
Stephanie Caron (Delta, BC) then reached on a fielder's choice that saw Ratel retired at third and McCannel advance on a throwing error as the third baseman attempted to get the out at first after tagging third for the force out.
McCannel scored the Clan's second run on a
Kendra Goodman (Surrey, BC) ground out and
Stefanie Sheard (Winnipeg, MB) walked to keep the Clan alive but Western Oregon would strand Sheard and Caron, ending the game and the 2014 season for SFU.
"We will certainly expect to field not only a different team in terms of adding some new players but returning with more experience and a more competitive attitude next year."
"At the end of the day this certainly wasn't good enough in a competitive conference like the GNAC where if you take an inning off you pay the price. This summer will provide opportunities to bounce back in the second year of what we hope will be a two year plan," finished Renney.
