Mistakes on defense and offense cost the lady Pride softball team an opportunity to win their third straight after hosting Beyer High on Tuesday afternoon.
A total of five errors were committed by the defense behind the arm of starting pitcher Denae Finney who tossed a complete game and only allowed two earned runs.
Despite a strong outing from Finney, the offense was unable to capitalize on opportunities, stranding numerous runners in scoring position and in the end, the Pride failed to overcome their woes as they fell 5-3 in their fourth preseason game of the year.
“Everyone likes to say we are young because of all the freshmen and sophomores at the infield but I told them I am done hearing that,” said Pitman head coach Joe Lewis. “A mistake is a mistake. I don't care if you are five or 18, it’s still a mistake and we need to cut those out and they know it.”
Beyer scored one of two earned runs in the first inning and then in the top of the third, they added two unearned to go up 3-0.
In the bottom half of the third Pitman added the first run of the game after Lehua DeLeon got on base with one out to begin the rally.
Taylor Honnette drove in DeLeon after an error was committed by Beyer with bases loaded in that same out.
Senior Starr Russo was up with bases loaded but grounded out to end the side.
After a five pitch inning in the top of the fourth for Finney, the Pride went back to offense and began another rally, but only scored once to cut the lead to 3-2. Two runners were left stranded in that inning alone.
Beyer scored one run in the top of the fifth and again Pitman rallied in the bottom of the fifth, only to come away with a Honnette score after a very close double play call that could've gone either way, with bases loaded.
Pitman only trailed 4-3 at this point but never managed to score again for the remainder of the game, stranding six runners in scoring position.
“We left too many people in scoring position. The lack of being able to have solid contact when we need it, we need to make solid contact, even a deep fly ball could be an RBI sac-fly,” said Lewis. “And the errors, we had five but you aren't going to win a game like that.”
In the team's two wins, the Pride committed two errors, in their two current losses, the lady Pride committed 13 errors.
Finney tossed 7 innings, with two earned runs, three unearned runs and six hits allowed. She had no strikeouts.
Pitman had only five hits on offense. DeLeon had two of the hits with a 2-for-4 effort, including a run scored, while Alanah Laupua walked twice.
“I think runners left on base hurt us and I think the girls were pressing too much,” Lewis added. “I don't think it was overpowering or overwhelming pitching; we are hitting too much off the end of the bat and little fly balls and the girls weren't making solid connection.
Pitman's next game will be at home against Modesto High at 3:30 p.m. Monday.
