The 2007 season has been one of firsts for the softball team, and Sunday was no exception. Capped off by the first game-winning home run in program history, the Hoyas (8-22) finished in third place in the Hoya Invitational this weekend with two victories over Colgate on Sunday.
Georgetown began the invitational by dropping a 3-1 decision to Canisius on Saturday morning. Canisius jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, but the Hoyas responded in the top of the fourth when a sacrifice fly by freshman catcher Suria Bahadue brought freshman second baseman Jadig Garcia to the plate for Georgetown’s lone run of the game.
In the bottom half of the fourth, Canisius scored two runs to take a 3-1 lead. Georgetown could not stage a rally as both teams were held scoreless for the final three innings of the game. Freshman pitcher Jennifer Connell allowed three runs on five hits in six innings of work for the Hoyas.
In its second game on Saturday, Georgetown lost 10-3 to Radford. The Hoyas took an early 3-1 lead behind a two-RBI double off the bat of freshman outfielder Olivia Newhouse. A four-run third inning gave Radford a 5-3 lead, and a three-run fourth extended the lead to 8-3. The Hoyas could not come back from this deficit, and Radford added one run each in the fifth and sixth innings.
Georgetown returned on Sunday to beat Colgate 2-0 and 3-2. The first game was scoreless until the bottom of the sixth inning when, with one out and one on, Newhouse – who went 2-for-3 on the day – hit a two-run home run to give the Hoyas a 2-0 lead. Connell continued a weekend of terrific pitching, picking up the win with a complete-game, two-hit shutout.
Newhouse’s home run was the first game-winning home run, and only the second home run ever in program history.
“It was also my first personal home run,” Newhouse said.
Much like the first, the second Sunday game was a defensive battle. In the third inning, with the game scoreless, Garcia led off with a single and advanced to second on an error. Freshman Samantha Peters brought Garcia home with an RBI double to center field. Later in the inning, with Peters on second, Connell hit a two-run home run to give the Hoyas a 3-0 lead.
Colgate answered in the fifth inning with a home run by Erin Gomez. A walk and a single put two runners on, but Georgetown secured two quick outs to end the inning. Colgate scored one more run in the sixth inning to cut the lead to 3-2, but with a runner on second, Georgetown’s defense tightened up and ended the inning.
“We’re not having innings that go for 10 at bats anymore. We’re realizing that each out is crucial,” Newhouse said about Georgetown’s defense on Sunday.
Freshman Sarah Kamenski gave up only three hits and one run in four innings for the win. She was relieved by Connell, who also allowed one run on three hits.
Georgetown now shifts its focus away from Empire State teams to a local rival, Maryland.
“Maryland’s a good team. We faced them in the fall, so we know what they are all about. We’re ready and we’re excited to play someone closer by. It’s different playing someone from upstate New York than someone close by in aryland,” Newhouse said.
The Hoyas take on the Terrapins Wednesday at Guy Mason Field. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.