On Thursday, Feb. 6 at 1 p.m., the Union University softball team headed to Columbus, Georgia to play fierce opponent Columbus State University on Cougar Field for a three-game series.
Hours before leaving for Columbus State University, Mallory Hildebrand, a junior family studies major and starting first baseman, shared her thoughts about the upcoming weekend against CSU.
“Despite what happens this upcoming weekend against Columbus State University, this is a great learning process for us and since we’re going to play the same team for three games in a row, it’ll be good to see how we make adjustments and work as a team,” Hildebrand said.
The Lady Bulldogs are on a losing streak with no preseason wins under their belt, hoping for a victorious win against CSU.
With 45 fans in attendance on Feb. 7 at 1 p.m. game one was a go with a 0-0 score for three innings until CSU knocked in two runs. It ended with a close score of 2-0 in favor of CSU with only one error and two hits for the Lady Bulldogs. Starting pitcher and junior exercise major Riley Vaughn allowed only two runs, three hits, and four walks. Vaughn pitched the entire game with six strikeouts ending the game as the losing pitcher.
Underway went game two at 3 p.m. in which the Lady Bulldogs held CSU for five straight innings with a 0-0 tie. Three runs scored by CSU in the bottom of the sixth inning left the Lady Bulldogs with an 3-0 loss with zero errors and two hits.
Senior exercise science major Sarah Kate Thompson and senior biology major Hailey Sipes carried the team offensively with their two hits combined. Starting pitcher and senior cell molecular biology major Kira Finkley held CSU to three runs on seven hits and three walks. Finkley pitched the entire game and walked away as the losing pitcher.
“One of the things we have worked on is keeping our energy consistent, so we’re hoping to see that grow and become constant this coming weekend,” Hildebrand said.
The Lady Bulldogs battled fiercely but ultimately lost 9-0 by the fifth inning, with no hits, no runs, and four errors in the final game.
This completed their preseason with an overall 7-0 losing record.
“Not how I expected our preseason to end, but I wanted to face tough competition to best prepare us for our conference,” head coach Sydney Sturner said. “I know it helped expose where we need to keep working and where to grow as the season starts.”
Though not an ideal start to the season for the Lady Bulldogs, Hildebrand and Thompson are both optimistic that the regular season will show improvement.
“We knew we weren’t going to be perfection when we walked out there on that field, but we do strive for that,” Thompson said confidently. “We are using those losses as lessons and building a foundation to improve upon.”
Coach Sturner has been head coach for three years and has high hopes for the Lady Bulldogs as they begin conference play despite the unexpected preseason losses.
“I am looking forward to seeing how the girls continue to respond and grow through the adversity, and how they come together as a team,” Sturner said. “I hope to continue to improve on executing our plan offensively and fighting all 7 innings regardless of the score.”
The Lady Bulldogs will host Valdosta State University in their first GSC season series on Feb. 15 at 12 p.m. with game two to follow.