Softball first in league standings
Matt Gahris
Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: Sports
The Wright State softball team is turning winning into a habit. For the first time this year the Raiders have climbed above .500. More importantly, they're sitting atop the Horizon League with an 8-2 record.
After splitting a doubleheader with Toledo last week, the Green and Gold traveled to Youngstown State for a three-game weekend series. For the second straight week, the Raiders won all three games against their league foes.
"That's tough to do in this conference," Head Coach Mike Larabee said. "No matter if you're at home or on the road there's a lot of parity.
Most impressively, each game of the series was won by run-rule. While the offense continued to torch opposing pitchers, the Raider hurlers were masterful as well. Wright State outscored the Penguins 31-4 on the weekend.
"Thirty-one runs in a weekend, that's pretty good," Coach Larabee said.
Sharon Palma set the tone for the series in the opener with a complete game, allowing only six hits through six innings. The offense came alive in the late innings to pull away for a 10-1 win.
Ashleigh Jackson followed with a five-inning complete game. The freshman allowed only one hit and two walks as the Raiders cruised, 8-0.
In the finale Palma and Jackson combined to allow only six hits through five frames. Palma earned the win, her tenth victory of the season (10-6).
"(Palma) had great command," said Coach Larabee. "Jackson really stepped up too."
Designated player Justine Shilt, typically a slap-hitter, was 2-for-3 in the third game with two home runs, a grand slam and a three-run shot. For the series, she was 5-for-8.
Senior Jherica Williams was 7-for-9 on the weekend with two homers and 10 RBI.
"Jherica continues to do amazing things at the plate," Coach Larabee said. Williams extended her school-record hitting streak to 25 games and raised her batting average to .496. Her 12 home runs and 58 RBI thus far are also records.
In addition to racking up wins and rewriting the school record books, the team is collecting league accolades.
Sophomore Sharon Palma was named Horizon League Pitcher of the Week for her performance against Youngstown State. Palma is the second Raider to win the award this year after Allison Cox received the honor in February.
Palma is also the third Raider in as many weeks to be recognized by the league after senior Jherica Williams and sophomore Kristen Bradshaw were each named Horizon League Player of the Week.
Wright State, now 20-17 overall with a one-game lead in the Horizon League, rode a season-best four-game winning streak into a doubleheader against Miami University on Tuesday, April 15.
The Raiders continue conference play with a doubleheader at Butler on Thursday before returning home for a three-game weekend series against Loyola, starting with a doubleheader on Saturday at 1 p.m.
After splitting a doubleheader with Toledo last week, the Green and Gold traveled to Youngstown State for a three-game weekend series. For the second straight week, the Raiders won all three games against their league foes.
"That's tough to do in this conference," Head Coach Mike Larabee said. "No matter if you're at home or on the road there's a lot of parity.
Most impressively, each game of the series was won by run-rule. While the offense continued to torch opposing pitchers, the Raider hurlers were masterful as well. Wright State outscored the Penguins 31-4 on the weekend.
"Thirty-one runs in a weekend, that's pretty good," Coach Larabee said.
Sharon Palma set the tone for the series in the opener with a complete game, allowing only six hits through six innings. The offense came alive in the late innings to pull away for a 10-1 win.
Ashleigh Jackson followed with a five-inning complete game. The freshman allowed only one hit and two walks as the Raiders cruised, 8-0.
In the finale Palma and Jackson combined to allow only six hits through five frames. Palma earned the win, her tenth victory of the season (10-6).
"(Palma) had great command," said Coach Larabee. "Jackson really stepped up too."
Designated player Justine Shilt, typically a slap-hitter, was 2-for-3 in the third game with two home runs, a grand slam and a three-run shot. For the series, she was 5-for-8.
Senior Jherica Williams was 7-for-9 on the weekend with two homers and 10 RBI.
"Jherica continues to do amazing things at the plate," Coach Larabee said. Williams extended her school-record hitting streak to 25 games and raised her batting average to .496. Her 12 home runs and 58 RBI thus far are also records.
In addition to racking up wins and rewriting the school record books, the team is collecting league accolades.
Sophomore Sharon Palma was named Horizon League Pitcher of the Week for her performance against Youngstown State. Palma is the second Raider to win the award this year after Allison Cox received the honor in February.
Palma is also the third Raider in as many weeks to be recognized by the league after senior Jherica Williams and sophomore Kristen Bradshaw were each named Horizon League Player of the Week.
Wright State, now 20-17 overall with a one-game lead in the Horizon League, rode a season-best four-game winning streak into a doubleheader against Miami University on Tuesday, April 15.
The Raiders continue conference play with a doubleheader at Butler on Thursday before returning home for a three-game weekend series against Loyola, starting with a doubleheader on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Be the first to comment on this story