Through eighteen games and a 12-6 record, one would think that Wesleyan Softball has an experienced group with senior leaders. The youngest team that Head Coach Steve Warner has ever had is playing above their years so far this season, seeing contributions up and down the roster from freshmen through juniors. In fact, the Lady 'Cats do not have a single senior on the roster, yet they made strong work of their Florida schedule, wrapping it up on Saturday 9-5 overall on the trip. 

At the plate, six 'Cats are hitting over .300, led by Freshmen Grace Smith and Alli Robinson. Smith is hitting a robust .464 through her first 56 collegiate at-bats, collecting 26 hits and also leading the team in walks. Robinson has belted five home runs, four on the trip, knocked in twelve, and leads the team in total bases with 45. Sophomore Kylie Turner is the other Lady 'Cat with multiple home runs, she has two, and is also apart of the .300+ club so far this season. Back-to-back Mountain East Conference Players of the Week Brooke Clark and Destiny Alvarado are also above .300, and have combined for 35 hits, 22 RBI, and 48 total bases. Returning All-MEC First-Teamer Kennedy Cowart has also been a steady contributor in the middle of the lineup, hitting .328 with a team-high five doubles. 

Despite the productivity of the offense, the success in the circle has been just as impressive for Coach Warner's squad. The Lady 'Cats have three starters all under a 3.00 ERA, led by Freshman Abigail O'Shields. The Dagsboro, DE native has been dominant over her first 27.0 collegiate innings, only surrendering four earned runs, for a miniscule 1.04 ERA. She has also struck out 33 batters in her 27.0 innings. Returners Ciana Bowen and Hannah Hudson have also been strong, combining to only allow 36 runs in 96.1 innings, and have four and five wins, respectively. Hudson has seven complete games in her eight starts, and also owns a save. 

This Florida trip has proven that despite struggles a year ago, Wesleyan Softball is back in form and has many immediate contributors and long-term pieces. They should be a threat in the Mountain East Conference once again this season, as the lineup and the rotation look strong. An area of the game that needs improvement before conference play is defense, as they own a .935 team fielding percentage, and the infield defense has not been great. This may be the result of not practicing outside before games began, and Coach Warner will be able to address this when the team returns from their trip to good weather in Buckhannon. 

Florida Results

WVWC 9-3 USciences
WVWC 4-2 Concordia
WVWC 6-5 Felician
Seton Hill 2-1 WVWC
WVWC 6-5 Gannon
WVWC 10-0 Mercyhurst
WVWC 12-4 Clarion
WVWC 9-3 Holy Family
UMSL 2-1 WVWC
UMary 6-1 WVWC
Rockhurst 2-0 WVWC
Findlay 4-3 WVWC
WVWC 3-0 Bentley
WVWC 4-1 Stonehill

What's Next

The Lady 'Cats open up their MEC schedule on Saturday March 14th at Fairmont State. The Falcons are 0-6, and are currently two games into their ten game Florida Trip schedule. The first home game in Buckhannon is Saturday March 21st against Glenville State.