Softball Delivers Slugfest Sweep Over Westminster on Senior Day
Published: April 13, 2021
GREENVILLE, Ill. Greenville College softball scored 16 runs in Saturdays twinbill to help earn an 8-0, 8-7 sweep over conference foe Westminster on Senior Day at Lady Panther Field.
Seniors Rachel Brewer, Brya Irvin, Lindsey Schuberth, and Angela Sheets were honored for their dedication to GC softball on Saturday afternoon, with all four ladies receiving ovations and team gifts during intermission of the SLIAC double-header.
The opener was dominated from first pitch by the host Panthers, who used a seven-run second frame flurry to outpace Westminster and cruise to the eventual 8-0 win. Freshman standout Jessica Laubecher was again near perfect on the mound in game ones lopsided affair, tossing a complete-game, three-hit shutout.
Laubecher got substantial help offensively from middle infielders Angie Doherty and Mattie Fairchild. Doherty went 1-for-3 with a run and two RBI, while Fairchild batted 1-for-2 with two runs and two RBI. DH and sophomore Sarah Gerig remained hot at the plate as well, serving up a 1-for-2 performance at the dish with a run scored and an RIBI.
Game twos close 8-7 win seemed to mirror the opener through five innings of play, as senior pitcher Angela Sheets cut through batters and held a one-hitter through the fourth frame. Seniors Rachel Brewer and Lindsey Schuberth helped their classmates cause with clutch knocks in the games first half. Brewer slugged an RBI double to secure her 1-for-2 effort with a run and two RBI, while Schuberth hit 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored.
GC held a 7-1 lead heading into the top of the sixth inning and looked to have the victory securely set, but a six-run explosion from the visiting Bluejays narrowed the margin to one run. Laubecher returned to the mound in the late innings for the Panthers to help retire the Westminster bats and seal the 8-7 decision. Sheets claimed the win in the circle, pitching 5.2 innings and allowing only two earned on four hits. Laubecher registered the save in the capper with her 1.1 innings of duty.
Middle infielder Doherty continued to mash the ball at the plate for the Panthers, raking in a 3-for-3 performance with two runs scored in the close nightcap. Senior and all-around position player Brya Irvin contributed in the field and at the plate to aid in the pivitol conference victory. Irvin batted 1-for-3 with a run and an RBI while delivering several clutch stabs out at her post in centerfield.
With the pair of victories GC softball moved to 13-18 (8-4 SLIAC) and currently sits fourth in the conference. The club will return to Lady Panther Field on Wednesday as they host their annual Breast Cancer Awareness STRIKE OUT CANCER double-dip that will include a 3:00 pm battle with Milikin University and a 7:00 pm nightcap against Lindenwood University Belleville.
