Ronald Hanaki
Staff Writer
Sophomore infielder Sofia Cecchin crushed a game-winning two-run triple in the second game of the doubleheader to give ESU a hard-earned split with the Kutztown University Golden Bears last Saturday, April 26, at Creekview Park’s Vigon International Field.
Last Saturday was also Senior Day. During the intermission between the first and second games, ESU honored senior catcher Madison Vicendese and pitcher Angelica Dark for their outstanding contributions to the program.
The first game of the doubleheader was a slugfest that Kutztown won 13-7. However, ESU would flip the script in the second game.
Cecchin began turning the Warriors’ fortunes by singling in the bottom of the third inning. Then junior Kaylee Hazewski’s sacrifice bunt advanced Cecchin to second.
A fielding error enabled the runner to reach third base, and she would later score on a wild pitch.
The Warriors then added another run in the fourth inning to lead the Golden Bears 2-0. Kutztown answered right back with two runs in the top of the fifth inning to knot the game at two.
That set the stage for Cecchin’s heroics in the bottom of the sixth inning. With two outs, Cecchin came up to bat with two runners on the corners and laced a triple to right-center field. Both runners scored.
Hazewski then singled to plate Cecchin giving ESU another insurance run, as they now led 5-2.
Her RBI single would prove to be the difference maker as the Golden Bears rallied to score two more runs in the top of the seventh inning.
Dark retired Kutztown’s last hitter to stop the rally and preserve a hard-fought 5-4 win for the Warriors.
The ending was bittersweet for the two graduating seniors on the team.
“I have a lot of mixed emotions. I am very happy because we won. But I am also sad because this was my last game on our home field,” Dark said.
Vicendese was the other senior who played her last game for the Warriors. She wears the number 11 on her jersey.
Whenever she steps into the batter’s box, her teammates say, “It’s so nice to be number one twice.”
“I am really sad that it’s my last home game, especially because this is our new home field. This is the first year that we played on it, and I love it,” Vicendese said.
The senior revealed that she would be coming back to the team next year as a graduate assistant.
Cecchin was the heroine with the game-winning RBI.
“I felt that it was a good hit, and I knew that’s what we needed at that moment. It felt good, especially coming back from the first game when we didn’t do what we needed to be done,” Cecchin said.
After the game, head coach Jaime Wohlbach was still hot about two controversial calls early in the second game that she believed cost the team two potential runs.
“If I get a little bit excited with the umpires, it’s nice to see that your team backs you. They came up with some clutch hits and some runs,” Wohlbach said.
Overall, Wohlbach was pleased with her team’s performance.
“All the teams in our conference are good, and we got a split on our home field,” stated Wohlbach.
The head coach said that she would miss her two departing seniors as they were impact players and team leaders.
“Angelica has thrown a lot of innings for us here at ESU as a transfer coming in from California, and Madison is a hitting machine and super humble. They are both wonderful kids and so easy to coach,” Wohlbach said.
Wohlbach has been coaching the team for four seasons, and this was the team’s best finish.
The Warriors posted an overall record of 26-22 and were 8-8 in conference play.
“We’ve definitely turned a corner,” stated Wohlbach. “We’re getting stronger every day and every year.”
Despite being young and losing two important seniors, Wohlbach is confident the Warriors are building a solid foundation for a potential championship, the ultimate goal.
“We believe that if you build it, they will come,” Wohlbach said. “And that’s what we are in the process of doing.”
Email Ronald at
rhanaki@live.esu.edu
