Patriot softball struggles out of the gate for 2012

2012-08-27

By Jimmie Haywood

Sandy Creek softball team looked poised for an encouraging start to the season after their scrimmage against Our Lady of Mercy. However, after the Fighting Patriots dropped back-to-back home contest to come out of the gate the opposite may be suggested.
Sandy Creek fell in their home season opener to Stockbridge 13-5 despite holding a 3-1 after two innings. A double by Maegan Dalton drove in two runs which broke a 1-1 game in Sandy Creek's favor. But it was all Stockbridge after that as they went on to win in six innings.  
Aleah Singleton finished with two hits and a RBI, while Jessica Free added a double and a RBI in the loss.
"We are building the program," said Patriots coach Cathy Callahan. "We only have three seniors and we're young."
In their next game against Columbus, the Patriots were forced to rely on the exhausted arm of Autumn Shirah, who pitched the entire game prior.
The lack of pitching coupled with an inability to mount anything together offensively eventually led to a 12-0 humbling.
"We're improving---a lot," Callahan said. "We have to limit mental errors, we have a to start hitting the ball and we have to get more aggressive."
Sandy Creek will try and right the ship next week when they hit the road to play Carrollton on Tuesday and host Fayette County on Thursday.