COLONY — The Crest Lady Lancers have one more doubleheader next week to build some momentum after hitting a brick wall in the Franklin Falcons during Monday’s 19-0, 11-0 sweep.
With only four hits over two contests, the Lady Lancers could not match the Falcons’ firepower as their losing streak extended to four games ahead of Monday’s regular season finale against the Erie Red Devils.
“Our second game was much better, but in the first game we were mentally elsewhere at times,” Crest coach Dakota Sporing said. “We talked about it and responded. Obviously, it did not result in a win, but that (West Franklin) is a solid team and you can’t take anything away from them.”
Freshman Hannah Rush took the loss in the opener while tallying four strikeouts and allowing 19 runs on 14 hits and 11 walks.
Senior catcher Kaelin Nilges and junior outfielder Jacee Schmidt had one hit each.
In the nightcap, Crest’s defense was more efficient but the offense continued to struggle. Once the dust settled on a 11-0, fifth-inning mercy-rule, only Rush and Nilges had a hit.
“We will have lots of down time, then two games and regionals are the 18th, 19th and 20th,” Sporing said. “We have plenty of time to fix the little things, get better and get on the same page with a few things. We need to be ready to go and hopefully we’re full-speed, all cylinders going in the postseason.”
With the loss, the Lady Lancers’ record fell to 8-14 overall. First pitch for Monday’s doubleheader is 3:30 p.m. for the opener and 5 p.m. for the nightcap.
