The University of Rhode Island softball team faced Saint Louis University and Yale University in a busy week of action.
Rhode Island won two out of three games against Saint Louis over the weekend and split its doubleheader on Tuesday against Yale.
In the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader, second-year Brooke Gerry did not allow a hit through the first three innings.
A four-run rally in the bottom of the fourth inning was the game-changer. Saint Louis scored all of its runs on five hits to win 4-0.
The Rams only mustered three hits and two walks against third-year Saint Louis pitcher Anna Christ, who struck out five.
A single by Saint Louis first-year Bella Stephens and a walk to Christ were followed by second-year Kate Proffitt’s RBI single. First-year Ava Wombles hit her own RBI single to put runners on the corners before stealing second, allowing Proffitt to score on an errant throw.
Third-year Anna Rolla added to the scoring with another RBI single.
Rhode Island rebounded in game two with a 6-4 win in eight innings. The victory snapped the team’s five-game losing streak.
Fourth-year Becca Zawistowski hit a home run in the top of the eighth inning, the start of a three-run surge for the Rams.
Third-year Sydney Orndorff singled, and second-year Katie Knarr doubled. Third-year Rayah Snyder had a one-out single followed by fourth-year Casey Miller’s sacrifice fly for Rhode Island to take a 6-3 lead.
Rhode Island won its second straight eight-inning game, 3-2, to take the series win on Sunday.
“You lose 4-0, and you always wonder how the kids are going to respond,” URI Softball Head Coach Mike Coutts said. “We were pretty resilient; it didn’t really affect us. We turned around and played a really good game. I was really happy for the girls to be able to do that.”
The Rams scored the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth inning. Orndorff had a one-out walk before stealing second and third base.
“In those pressure situations, I really thrive,” Orndorff said. “I trust myself, I know my ability, and I know my teammates are going to get it done so I can score and we can win the game.”
An infield single by third-year Riley Frickleton brought Orndorff in for the 3-2 lead.
In the bottom of the inning, Proffitt drew a one-out walk. A diving catch by Rhode Island first-year left fielder Brooke Fairbanks ended the game.
“I’ve been coaching softball for a while, and that was as good a catch as I’ve seen on a softball field since I’ve been coaching,” Coutts said. “It was exciting for our team, exciting for her to end the game in that manner. The message is when you really want to win, and winning is really important to you, you’ll do things like that.”
Rhode Island had a fast turnaround on Tuesday for a doubleheader against Yale. The two games, originally scheduled for Wednesday, were moved because of the weather forecast.
“That ends up happening,” Coutts said. “ We talked about being resilient. We have to be tough, and we can’t use it as an excuse. Just have to focus on what’s important right now, which is our present moment.”
Game one against Yale was a 4-2 victory, another extra-inning win for the Rams. This made the team 5-1 in extra innings this season.
URI was trailing 2-1 when Snyder led off with a hit, moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt by second-year Giuliana Ialongo, and later scored the tying run on a sacrifice fly.
In the top of the eighth, second-year Julianne Torres and fourth-year Kylie Bulinski hit back-to-back singles. Orndorff followed with a go-ahead three-run triple. Knarr added on with a single to score and set up fourth-year Mandi Hanewich for an insurance run.
Yale took a 9-6 win in game two. Rhode Island held a 5-2 lead after a four-run rally in the top of the third inning, but Yale outscored URI 7-1 from then on to split the doubleheader.
Despite an 8-15 overall record, Orndorff believes the team has grown this season.
“We definitely have a lot of trust in each other,” Orndorff said. “We’re learning a lot about each other every game we play together, and there’s a true, deep love for each and every person between us. That’s really powering us right now, and I think that’s gonna lead us to big things for the rest of the season.”
Next up, Rhode Island will return home for a three-game conference series against the University of Dayton. Friday’s doubleheader will be available for streaming on ESPN+, while Saturday’s game will have a radio broadcast on RIU2.org.
