The Oswego State softball team took their annual beginning-of-season trip, this year to Myrtle Beach to kick off their 2024 regular season.
The Lakers’ first six games spelled disaster for the start of their season, as they had only six runs total in a winless stretch. However, the Lakers saved their best softball for the last four games of their trip as they went 3-1 in the final stretch.
Their first win of the season came against the Dean College Bulldogs out of Franklin, Massachusetts on March 13. Pitcher Fiona Higgins had quite an outing, only allowing two hits and one walk in seven innings. Higgins pitched 11 strikeouts in a 6-0 win against the Bulldogs.
Leading the day was Ellie Mahoney, who had two hits and an RBI. Right behind Mahoney was Kira Wright, who had one hit and three runs against the Bulldogs.
The Lakers moved on to face the Stevenson University Mustangs later that day. The Lakers lost 7-6 after giving up three runs in the fifth inning.
Higgins allowed three hits and a run while pitching three Ks before she was pulled in the second. Chelsea Sellars stepped in and allowed six runs, five hits and one walk without any Ks in the loss to the Mustangs.
Lillian Haggerty led the day with two hits and two RBIs, stepping to the plate three times. Mahoney also had two hits against the Mustangs, with one run. Lily Fanea had two hits and an RBI on her day.
The Lakers’ final two games of their trip were on March 15, their first matchup against the University of Scranton Royals. The Lakers scored the most runs in a game during their season, beating the Royals 10-8.
Higgins struggled against the Royals, allowing seven hits and five runs. Higgins had four Ks in four innings. Sellars stepped in for the final three innings, allowing five hits and three runs on the day. Sellars had no Ks against the Royals.
Six Lakers had two runs against the Royals, the players being Wright, Mahoney, Kylie Detz, Tahlia Gerardi, Haggerty and Mackenzie Carlson. Carlson led the game with three RBIs, with Haggerty right behind her with two. Gerardi led the team in runs with three.
The Lakers’ final matchup was later that day against the University of Maine at Presque Isle Owls. It was another high-scoring game for the Lakers, as they beat the Owls 10-7.
Higgins pitched three innings, allowing two hits and a run with two Ks. Sellars pitched the remaining four and an extra inning, allowing seven hits and six runs against the Owls. She pitched three Ks and a walk in the win.
Grace DiPalma, Higgins, Wright, Mahoney and Fanea all led the Lakers in hits with two each. Mahoney and Mattison Phinney led the team in RBIs with two each. DiPalma had four runs and led the team in the win against the Owls.
The Lakers finally head home with a 3-7 record, but on a two-game winning streak. The Lakers have their first home game of the season against the St. Lawrence University Saints in a doubleheader. The Lakers have not faced the Saints since 2017. Both teams have only faced each other twice and have each won once.
The Lakers hope to continue their winning streak as they face the Saints on March 30.
Photo by: Oswego Athletics
