Lyle-Pacelli softball team shows improvement in loss to Houston
Published 10:17 pm Tuesday, May 6, 2014
The Lyle-Pacelli softball team didn’t pick up a win, but it showed that it has made some vast improvements for a team that hasn’t fielded a varsity squad in three years.
The Athletics led 3-2 after five innings, but they bowed out by a score of 7-3 to defending SEC champion Houston (5-4 overall, 3-0 SEC) in Todd Park Tuesday.
The Hurricanes had beaten LP (0-5 overall, 0-5 SEC) 14-1 in the season opener.
Lyle-Pacelli’s Brooke Walter puts the tag on Houston’s Morgan Beckman during the seventh inning Tuesday at Todd Park. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
“When we focus and realize that it’s actually varsity, then we play really well,” LP freshman pitcher Bethany Strouf said. “We’d gotten ten runned in all of our other games so it was a great feeling today.”
The Athletics took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth when Brooke Walter and Bethany Strouf each singled in runs, but the Hurricanes took the lead back in the top of the sixth. Houston had two batters draw a walk and one reach on an error when Lizz Tippery hit a ball into left field that skipped over LP’s left fielder’s glove and scored three runs.
Despite the loss, LP head coach Jeff Yocom is pleased how his team is developing, considering that it has just seven high school players on the roster and only one junior.
“I’m really proud of the girls,” Yocom said. “They were kind of wondering what was going to happen with the way it’s been going, but they really played hard tonight. I saw a lot of smiles and they were proud of what they did. A couple more hits and we’re right there.”
Strouf allowed five hits and she struck out eight for LP. The freshman has gained more confidence with each start this year.
“I was really nervous at first, but I got used to it. I just have to count on my defense and teammates and throw strikes. Don’t be scared,” Strouf said. “Everyone says that we’re young and we’re not going to win any games, but I think we have a chance.”
Yocom said his team is starting to learn the difference between playing at the JV or middle school level to what its like to play varsity softball.
Lyle-Pacelli’s Miranda Arkells makes the catch on the run against Houston at Todd Park Tuesday. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
“They’ve all got to get used to the varsity stuff,” Yocom said. “It’s so much quicker and you’ve got to play every pitch. They’re finally starting to get it and they’re covering all of the bases.”
LP pitching: Bethany Strouf (L), 7 IP, 5 H, 8 BB, 7 R, 8 K
