Softball: Lady Cards Fall to Norristown

The Upper Dublin girls softball team traveled to Norristown Thursday, as the girls made their way to the field looking for their third win of the season.

However, it looked as though they lost their offense somewhere on the ride from Fort Washington.

The Lady Cards were silent for most of the day and did not record a hit until the sixth inning in the team's 10-3 loss to the Eagles. Upper Dublin wasted some excellent defensive plays and a solid start from pitcher Rachel Mintz in the loss.

Norristown put the Lady Cardinals behind early, using two hits and a sacrifice bunt to score two runs in the bottom of the first. It was not the start that Mintz hoped for, but she recovered in the second inning to hold the powerful Norristown offense to no runs. 

Mintz showed great composure throughout the game, even when Norristown sent a ball over the fence for a home run to make it 3-0. Her composure helped her get out of a bases loaded, one out situation in the bottom of the inning to keep the game close. Mintz allowed only one run to keep the Cardinals within four going into the fourth inning.

"Mintz did a good job. Norristown is a great offense team. She hung in there and mixed up her pitches," said Cardinals coach Heather Boyer.

The Cardinal and White offense struggled, as it did not send more then three batters to the plate in an inning until the fourth. Upper Dublin's Shannon Bulger came to the plate with a runner on second and third and two outs, but struck out after a long at bat to end the inning. 

With the Cardinals offense a no show, Norristown all but put the game away in the bottom of the fifth. After two walks and a steal put runners on second and third with one out, new pitcher Jacqui Gallagher allowed a two RBI double to make the score 7-0. Gallagher got out of the inning on a great catch by Upper Dublin.

Upper Dublin got things going in the top of the sixth, but it was too little too late. With runners at second and third, Becky Starosta smacked an RBI single to put the Cardinals on the board. Shannon Bolger and Stefani Samuels knocked in back to back runs to make the score 7-3 going into the final inning.

Norristown would tack on three more runs, and Upper Dublin did not threaten in the seventh to end the game. 

While the final score did not indicate a close game, the Cardinals played well, but it is hard to keep pace with an inconsistent offense. When asked why the Cardinals seem to only start hitting the ball late in the game, Boyer said a lack of experience was to blame.

"Some of our batters need more pitches to get comfortable at the plate," said Boyer. "But with more practice, that will improve."

The Lady Cardinals' usual starting pitcher, Kristen Ganderton, was not able to play because of soreness in her pitching arm. Boyer said the rest is precautionary, and Ganderton could be back soon.

Upper Dublin will get the chance to rebound from the loss Friday, when the girls face Cheltenham at home.