This weekend’s double-header was a mixed bag for a Tiger ball club that had previously dropped six straight heading into their matchup against Franklin (7-5).
Game one’s 1-6 loss was full of adjustments, as the Tigers initially didn’t use the slow, muddy infield to their advantage.
“I pretty much blame myself for anything that kind of happened in the first game to not give us more run production,” said head coach Erica Hanrahan. “One of our main games is to steal, and we kept getting thrown out on the bases because the mud was sticky.”
Despite the loss, the Tigers remained unfazed heading into game two.
“We used [game one] as a learning experience of how we can come out stronger for the second game,” explained senior baseman Lindsey Button. “We look… and see what was holding us back and fix those parts of our game.”
The Tigers, specifically their bats, did just that in game two. After being silent for the majority of the season, the Tiger’s offense exploded in a dominating 10-4 win over Franklin.
Apart from a rough, four-run fifth inning, sophomore starting pitcher Emma Baldwin was dominant on the mound, striking out four over six innings of work to pick up her first win of the season.
“It felt good to get the win, but I really just enjoyed our focus and drive,” said Baldwin. “I loved the team atmosphere during that game, and I could really feel our drive to win, so I was glad we were able to achieve that and pull together as a team.”
DePauw’s offense was led by a three-for-three performance by senior leadoff hitter and catcher Sami Bell, who came around to score four of DePauw’s ten runs. Button hit her first homerun of the season, a two-run shot that pushed DePauw’s lead to 8-0 in the fourth inning.
“The biggest challenge so far this season has been finding a consistent lineup,” said Button. “We have so many great hitters… it’s not possible to get them all in the lineup. But I think this is a challenge we are going to face all season.”
The Tigers will next head to California over break to take on Chapman, Whittier and Redlands before returning to the Midwest to face Trine away on the 26th.
With the season still young, Hanrahan is confident the team is coming together heading into the California trip.
“We’re gelling now. I have a much clearer idea of who’s going to play what positions at this point, especially within the infield,” explained Hanrahan. “I think that starts to allow people to play better together because they know who’s going to be beside them. I think that has been an instrumental way to kind of pick of the pace and find a rhythm."