Photo by Jordan Jacobo/Review staff writer/photographer

Nicole Bennett

For the Review

The softball team’s bats were on fire last weekend as they hit a total of five homeruns and 19 runs overall to defeat Lewis & Clark College.

Their defense held the Pioneers to a single run and only five hits total.

Senior shortstop Meredith Brunette set a single-game school record with three triples, and brought in three runs for the ’Cats.

“Meredith Brunette was a standout player last weekend,” senior first basemen Amanda Attleberger said.

Great at-bats from seniors second baseman Jenny Marshall and outfielder Stephanie Rice helped the ’Cats achieve a 13-0 win in game one. The game was called after the fifth inning because of in 10-run lead rule.

Marshall was four-for-four at the plate, scoring each time, following junior third baseman Erica Hancock’s two-run double in the first inning.

“We want to prove to everyone that last year was not a fluke and that we really are more talented and deserve to hold the title,” Attleberger said.

Attleberger said the biggest obstacle will be living up to the players’ own expectations.

Attleberger hit three homeruns for the ’Cats last weekend, and Hancock slammed two.

Freshmen third baseman Emily Keagbine and second baseman Alex Hartmann each drove one over the fence, leaving no doubt.

“We did very well last year and many of us are pretty tough on ourselves if we don’t exceed last year’s numbers,” Attleberger said. “All we need to focus on is playing solid defense, scoring many runs and pitching the ball well.”

On  defense, 16 strong pitching kept Lewis & Clark from gaining momentum. Junior pitcher Kendra Strahm had three strikeouts and gave up a single hit across three innings in the first game. Sophomore pitcher Samantha Van Noy finished the last two innings, knocking down three batters to finish game one.

Head coach Jackson Vaughan has said the team is focusing on taking care of the little things through practice and fundamentals.

“The biggest factors in determining our success will be our attitude, mental toughness and ability to continually give our best effort in every drill, practice and game,” Vaughan said. “If our team can gel together and stay healthy, we will be in good shape.”

Ten strikeouts later, junior pitcher Brittany Miller claimed a victory in game two. Miller is 43-7 in her career, 4-0 this season.

The team lost only two seniors after last season and has gained a lot of depth with freshmen players Keagbine, Hartmann and  shortstop Kristen Allison, among others.

The team is confident about the breadth of players they have competing for each position to contribute to future wins.

With a 10-0 record, the ’Cats are optimistic for this season. Still, they know the victories will not come easy.

“Everyone wants to beat the national champions,” Attleberger said. “Each team will play like they are contending for the title as well. I think Pacific Lutheran University and Pacific University will give us the best competition. They are a good match for us.”