Given GW’s proximity to the epicenter of America’s government, it would only make sense that life would imitate politics. Just as Hillary Clinton ended a month-long losing streak with a comeback in the March 4 Democratic primaries, culminating with a win in Rhode Island, the GW softball team also ended its nine-game losing streak with a win against Rhode Island.
“We out-hustled Rhode Island, we out-talked them, and today, our offensive production was solid,” coach Kim Staehle said.
Despite a tough loss to Massachusetts Friday, the Colonials were able to make the adjustments necessary to beat the Rams, 2-0 and 2-1, in a morale-boosting doubleheader on Sunday at Mount Vernon Athletic Complex.
“I’m pretty excited about it. I think that it’s a tremendous boost for us, for our confidence, and I was just very pleased with offense and defense,” Staehle said. “Everything was perfect.”
Defense has plagued the Colonials (7-16, 3-5 Atlantic 10) this season. Errors have cost them several close games, and sophomore pitcher Ali Pardo was sidelined last week with a bone bruise after being hit on her pitching hand by a line drive.
“We’re going to try and get her range of motion back first, and then make a decision to put her back in there,” Staehle said.
Pardo still managed to contribute to the team’s win, as a pinch runner in the second game.
But against the Rams, the defense seemed stabilized, thanks in part to sophomore Amanda Gabriel pitching two complete games. Gabriel broke the Colonials’ record for career innings pitched and tied the career record for starts.
“As long as Amanda’s willing to pitch in and throw a second game, we’re going to go ahead with her,” Staehle said. “She’s somebody that always wants the ball, and you’ll always get 150 percent from her.”
The offensive effort was just as impressive. Gabriel scored the first run of the game in the fifth inning, followed by junior Tori Sensi. Junior Carrie Higdon scored the first run of the second game, and senior Chrysanthi Halkiotis stole home in the third inning to give the Colonials the lead.
“It feels great to (break the losing streak). We really came out here and from the beginning of the game, from inning one, we were really pumped up,” Halkiotis said. “We’ve worked hard this season and really tried to fix the little things and we got it all working at the same time today and it feels great.”
