The women’s softball team lost both games in a doubleheader against UW-Oshkosh on April 8. 

According to head coach Leslie Huntington, the team has been resilient in the face of many challenges this season. 

“We have a small roster, which is uncharacteristic for our program,” Huntington said. “We have had more injuries this season than any other season I’ve encountered.” 

Despite these obstacles, the team has been able to bounce back, according to Huntington. 

“Their resilience continues to impress me,” Huntington said. “The girls will take a day to reflect on things that have taken place over the course of the season, and then they just lace up and get back at it.” 

They ended the first game of the doubleheader with a score of 3-2 and the second game with a score of 2-0. 

Chloe Garofalo, a second-year exercise science and athletic training student, said the team brought great energy to the games and was able to hold off the Titans. 

“Oshkosh is one of our biggest competitors,” Garofalo said. “We went into the games with a plan. Oshkosh has some really skilled pitchers, but I think we executed well and kept them from scoring.” 

UW-Oshkosh is currently ranked top 20 for Division III women’s softball, according to the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. 

“I thought our pitchers executed very well against Oshkosh,” Huntington said. “The opposing team came in with a firm game plan, but we managed to only give up four hits in our second game.” 

According to Madi Zerr, a fourth-year business administration student, the low game scores reflect how much effort the pitchers were putting in to keep the Titans from scoring. 

“It was challenging to adjust to their pitchers at the base, but we were able to get a feel for what they were throwing and we adjusted to make the best contact possible,” Zerr said. 

According to Zerr, the team’s strong defense and good batting lineup have been crucial for the team’s triumphs this season. 

“The team only has two pitchers right now, so we have been working hard to back them up on defense,” Zerr said. “We don’t want the pitchers to pitch more than they need to.”

The Blugolds have grown together as a team this season, according to Garofalo. 

“If we keep playing strong and playing together, I think we can give the rest of the teams in the conference a run for their money,” Garofalo said. “We love and care about each other, and that sort of team unit is very important for our success.” 

After completing half of their season, the Blugolds are hopeful for what the end of their season has in store, according to Huntington. 

“If we can play with this type of intensity and focus for the rest of the season, then I like the direction we are headed,” Huntington said. 

The Blugolds’ next two games will be on April 18 against UW-Whitewater. 

Allessi can be reached at [email protected].