Briercrest women’s softball was unable to maintain early first inning momentum in both games of their first home games in program history, falling to the University of Regina and SAIT.

The first home game in Briercrest softball history saw Briercrest hosting Western Collegiate Softball Association (WCSA) league leading University of Regina on a beautiful September evening at Moose Jaw’s Optimist Park.

As the Briercrest faithful steadily started trickling into the stands, Briercrest pitcher Laura Vogt started the game off strong forcing the University of Regina to quickly go down three straight. Briercrest then responded in the bottom of the first with strong hitting, highlighted by second year transfer Sidney Holoein hitting the first home run of Briercrest program history to build the early 1-0 Briercrest lead.

The second inning started with a leadoff walk for Regina before Vogt retired the next two batters. A Regina double and wild pitch brought in two runs for Regina making the score 2-1 before Holoein made a great play at shortstop to end the top of the second.

Though allowing Briercrest base runners Regina wouldn’t allow another run for the next three innings, while extending their lead with a home run to lead off the third, followed by a walk, a double and a fielder’s choice sacrifice ground ball brought the score to 4-1 for Regina.

Home runs in the fourth and fifth innings helped extended the Regina lead to 8-1 before Kenzie Derdall entered the game to relieve Vogt, but Regina continued their strong play to extend a 12-1lead.

As the lights warmed up at Optimist Park, Briercrest bats came alive in the bottom of the fifth inning and attempted a comeback as Danica Junk got on base, Bryann Seib laid down a perfect bunt and Derdall singled Junk in for the 12-2 final score.

The navy and yellow of Briercrest support continued to spread out around the field as the second game of the double header began, the second game played against SAIT.

Briercrest starting pitcher Alexis Ferguson worked hard to get out of the first inning as SAIT jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead. Catcher Jessica Bailey started the defensive rally by throwing out a SAIT player trying to steal third base. With the bases loaded Ferguson ended the threat by forcing a ground out to end the first inning.

Ferguson led the way offensively for Briercrest to start the first inning with a walk before Holoein singled and both players were able to advance on a SAIT error. Vogt sacrificed Ferguson in on an error to make the score 2-1 for SAIT before Marissa Burns singled Holoein in to tie the score 2-2.

SAIT came out strong on offense in the second inning forcing and error and then hitting sandwiching a triple between two doubles to bring the score to 5-2. Briercrest head coach Carlie Pagens called a time out to regroup the team. The timeout seemed to work as Ferguson responded with a strikeout and Mikayla Benner caught a ball in the outfield to end the inning down 6-2.

Briercrest was unable to sustain pressure on SAIT, as every time Briercrest started to build momentum SAIT would force them to ground outs to end innings.

SAIT continued their strong batting in the third inning, this time replying on singles before a home run brought the score to 10-2 with two outs and Derdall came in to relieve Ferguson for the remained of the game. This move also allowed Ferguson to move to centre field to solidify the outfield. Derdall struck out the first batter she faced to end the third inning.

The fourth inning was a quick one as both teams quickly grounded and flew out before any threats could develop.

The fifth inning continued with SAIT loading the bases off of two singled and a walk before a SAIT double brought the score to 13-2 and Derdall had another strikeout and forced a flyout to end the inning.

SAIT quickly ended the game with three quick ground outs.

 The Briercrest fans stayed right to the final out to cheer on their new team and were quick to yell out their support for any strikeouts or great defensive plays throughout the game.

The Briercrest women’s softball team continued their weekend with games three games Saturday in Regina to play the University of Calgary at 12:00 pm at Kaplan Field followed by 5:00 pm and 7:15 pm games against the University of Saskatchewan and SAIT at Douglas Park #1.

They then return back to Optimist Field for another double header against Regina Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 6:00 and 8:00 pm.

 

For more information on the Briercrest sports teams this year follow the Briercrest Athletics facebook page.