Spring Training Brings Bonding and Preparation

CLERMONT, FL – The Franciscan University of Steubenville Lady Barons softball team traveled to Florida over the university’s spring break to participate in six games from March 15-19.  The Lady Barons went 1-5 over the course of the spring training, taking a solid 3-2 victory over Western New England.

The first match up for the Lady Barons was Bethel University, which ended in an 11-2 loss for Franciscan.  Lara Plumlee and Bethany Fischer were the offensive standouts for Franciscan in the game, each registering two hits and one run scored.  The next contest that day was a 14-0 loss to Kent State, a struggle for the Lady Barons with only two hits, one by Plumlee and the other by Krista Bertke. 

The second day of spring training brought an 11-3 loss to Fairleigh Dickinson at Florham.  Bertke, Plumlee and Catherine Durand brought in the runs for the Lady Barons.  The second game was a 16-2 defeat by Central College.  Monica Recznik had two hits and a run, Plumlee had a hit and a run, and Katie Quitney had a hit and an RBI.

Things began to brighten for the Lady Barons during their 3-2 win over Western New England College.  Pitcher Shelbi Linscomb recorded her first hit of the season and Plumlee had two hits, two RBIs, and one run, while Bertke contributed a hit and an RBI.

“It was really great to get that win,” Linscomb remarked.  “We lost several tough games by a lot of points, and the win was a big morale booster for us.” 

Lady Barons Head Coach, Jen Biela, was pleased with her team's performance in the win.  “I thought the girls really connected in that game,” she said.  “We just gelled in a way that we never had before.”

The Lady Barons lost the final contest of their spring training to University of Massachusetts Boston, 16-1.

Coach Biela felt that her team made significant progress through their spring training period.  "This was really a bonding experience for us,” she said.  “Lara Plumlee did a great job every game and got on base several times – she's the kind of player that just makes things happen offensively and defensively.  Shelbi Linscomb did an excellent job pitching for us and got her first win against Western New England.  Katie Quitney was solid behind the plate, and Catherine Durand was a very solid hitter and played well on first base.  I'm definitely looking forward to season…we’ll take this bonding experience of spring training with us, helping us to play as a unit this upcoming year.”