The Golden Eagles have now won 24 of 34 contests after beginning the season 1-8. For a full article on the team's success this season, read my story in today's Daily Mail here.
Coach Ray Loeser said the dramatic change from losing to winning was simply the result of improved play and finding a groove, no speech or different approach.
“I would love to tell you it was something I said or something that happened in the season, one of those things that just fell into place," he said, "but I really think it was everybody working through their own struggles and our team struggles of just inexperience.
Loeser expanded on those thoughts as I interviewed him Monday.
“We started a little bit slower than I anticipated," he said, "but we got on a little bit of a roll and we won 20 of our last 30, so we’re sitting 21-18, 12-6 in the (West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic) Conference, which has us third in the conference now."
One of the most reliable contributors during the turn-around has been freshman Kendal LeFrancois, Loeser said.
“The last three weeks, our freshman, out of Massachusetts, Kendal LeFrancois has just been swinging the bat really well," he said. "Last week, she was 7-for-13, 5-for-5 in one of our games, so she’s been swinging the bat really well.”
LeFrancois currently leads the team in batting average (.383), doubles (seven) and home runs (six) and ranks tied for third in RBI (19).
Another freshman who's made a great impact is pitcher Morgan Aguirre, a Logan graduate, as well as fellow pitcher Courtney Fain, a sophomore.
“Even as a freshman, (Morgan's) kind of had to accept her role that not every freshman has to do and at times she’s put us on her back and said ‘Hey, we’re going to go do it,’" Loeser said, "and at times she’s struggled a bit, but really the kid that’s performing a little bit better than everybody thought has been Courtney Fain. Last year, she pitched 20 innings, and this year she’s got 115. Last year, she was 3-2. This year, she’s 10-8.”
This season, Fain has posted an 11-8 record thus far with a 3.88 earned run average. She's struck out 90 and walked 54 in 124 and one-third innings pitched. Meanwhile, Aguirre has posted a 12-8 record with a 2.44 ERA. Aguirre has struck out 102 and walked 43 in 123 and one-third innings pitched.
At the plate, in addition to Francois, the Golden Eagles are led by senior first baseman Janeen Vazquez and sophomore catcher Jacqueline Carlin. Vazquez ranks second on the team in batting average at .363 and hits (37). Vazquez is tied for third in RBI (19) and leads in stolen bases with 22. Meanwhile, Carlin paces the team in hits with 39, to go with her .333 batting average. Carlin ranks second in home runs (five) and RBI (21).
Other top contributors this season include: Jenna Evans, Kayln Butt, Katelyn Hamilton, Andrea Hayes, Kelly Browning, Hailey Tretick, Allison Evans, Ayla Santos and more.
Evans ranks second on the team in stolen bases (11), fourth in batting average (.322) and fifth in hits (29).
Butt has hit for average (.299), while also contributing power with four home runs (tied for third) and leads the team in RBI (22).
Hamilton, like Carlin, has contributed throughout the season starting 41 of 42 games played. Hamilton currently has a .291 batting average, is tied for third in stolen bases (10) and ranks fourth in hits with 30.
UC next plays host to Glenville State College in a doubleheader set to begin 2 p.m. Friday. The Golden Eagles will finish the regular season and celebrate Senior Day with a doubleheader against Ohio Valley University 1 p.m. Saturday.
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