The spring sports season is coming to a close rather quickly, but the Oberlin College softball team is not going home without a fight. The team played double-headers this past week against Kenyon College (8-0, 5-0) and John Carroll University (9-1, 9-3).

“Our games against Kenyon and John Carroll both had so many positives,” said Head Coach Adrienne Davis.

Last Saturday at the Kenyon College fields, the Yeowomen showcased a rock-solid defense. In the first game, first-year Michelle Zanni pitched a solid first five innings, allowing only four runs. Oberlin lost 8-0.

Despite giving up five runs in the first inning, which led to a 5-0 loss, the Yeowomen fought until the end in the second game against Kenyon. In one notable play that occurred in the sixth inning, first-year Rebecca Goldring knocked in senior Miriam Elfstrom; unfortunately, Elfstrom was thrown out just before crossing home plate.

“In the second game, [Kenyon] rocked us for five runs in the first inning, but never got any more than that. They even had the bases loaded one inning with just one out and we were able to hold them,” said Davis.

This past Monday at the John Carroll University fields, the Yeowomen’s bats really came alive, according to Davis. The game itself was not stellar, however, as JCU scored eight of its nine runs in the first three innings. Davis emphasized that she would like to see the team “be more prepared and focused in the first inning.”

Despite the loss, the Oberlin squad had some standout performances. Sophomore Spencer McCaffrey continued to impress Davis. In the first game against John Carroll, she was 1-2 and had both a double and a run. In the second game she was 2-3, with a double and two RBIs.

On the defensive side, Davis and the team continue to agree that senior Kate Oberg is an impressive force. Commenting on Oberg’s pitching, teammate and sophomore Ashley Gorham said, “She has really come into her own and her rise ball is working great. Our fielding has let her down in spots, but hopefully by the end of the season we will be able to get a few runs and her great pitching won’t go to waste.  She has really been doing a great job.”

The Yeowomen will continue to improve their game this week in preparation for their last two regular games of the season against Wittenberg University tomorrow and Case Western Reserve on Monday, May 1. They will wrap up their season with the conference championships on May 4 and 5.