By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
The East Troy softball team appears to be on the fringe of a breakthrough.
Now the Trojans just have to find a way to get over the hump.
East Troy put together what coach Greg Prince called its “best game” of the season last week with a 3-2 Rock Valley Conference win over visiting Parkview, followed by two closely contested losses, 7-3 and 4-3, to Edgerton on Saturday.
The 1-2 week left the Trojans at 3-7 overall and 3-6 in the RVC heading into a home game Tuesday against Whitewater. Results of that contest were unavailable by press time.
“We are really close to being where we need to be,” Prince said. “Our pitching was better this week, and defensively, we were better as well. We struggled a little offensively, but once again, we are close. The biggest thing we need to get better at is our mental approach to the game.”
East Troy battled back from a 3-0 deficit in the first game of the twinbill with Edgerton to knot the score at 3-3. Edgerton answered, however, with two runs in both the fifth and seventh innings to close out the scoring.
Erin Rice led the offense with three hits and a run scored, followed by Kaitlyn O’Connell with two hits, including a double, a run scored and two RBI. Other leaders were Maria Longstreet (two hits, run scored) and Lisa Heidelmeier (two hits, double).
Samantha Donohoue took the loss, as she allowed 13 hits, six earned runs and struck out two in seven innings of work.
The inability to drive in runners in scoring position was the difference, Prince said.
“We hit the ball well with 10 hits, but we couldn’t come up with the big hit,” he said. “We left one runner on in the first and second, two in the third, one in the fourth, two in the fifth and one in the seventh.
“Defensively, we had two errors, but played a real solid game. Samantha Donohoue again pitched well, but got hurt on a couple of mistakes.”
The second game was tight throughout. East Troy led 2-1 after the fourth inning, but Edgerton responded with two runs in the fifth and one more in the seventh.
East Troy cut the deficit to just a run with a single tally in the bottom of the seventh inning, but couldn’t get any closer.
“The second game was kind of a pitcher’s duel between (East Troy’s) Sophia Heimos and (Edgerton’s) Gabby Martinez,” Prince said. “Unfortunately, we came out on the short end.
“Offensively, we could only must seven hits. Part of that was due to players struggling to make adjustments at the plate. Defensively, we played a real solid game once again, committing only one error. Unfortunately, it really hurt us, as it led to two Edgerton runs scoring.”
Prince added that his team had struggles defending the bunt, which he said hadn’t been an issue leading up to the game.
Rice had two hits and a run scored to lead the way, followed by Sydney Raddeman (one hit, two RBI), Sarah Gilpatrick (one hit, RBI) and Rorye Cieslik (one hit, run).
Heimos took the loss, as she allowed nine hits, three earned runs and no walks in seven innings.
Following Tuesday’s game with Whitewater, the Trojans traveled to Whitewater on Thursday to complete the home-away matchup with the Whippets.
“They are much improved over last year, and we will need to play well in all phases of the game to beat them,” Prince said. “If our defensive play can continue the way it has been, our pitching stays consistent, and we get a couple of better at bats, we have a pretty good shot to bring home a couple W’s.”
Trojans win opener
East Troy broke a 1-1 tie with two runs in the bottom of the fourth and made that stand in the 3-2 win over Parkview on April 20.
O’Connell led the way with two hits, including a double, and an RBI, while Rice added a hit, a run scored and two RBI. Raddeman chipped in with a hit and a run scored.
Donohoue went the distance to earn the win, as she allowed five hits, two earned runs, two walks and struck out two.
“The game agains Parkview was maybe the best we played all season,” Prince said. “We have had better hitting games, but the wind was blowing in at about 40 miles per hour. I thought we competed real well.”
The game was the start of a big week for Rice, who continues to improve every day, Prince said.
“Erin Rice has had a great season and had a tremendous week with eight hits in four games,” he said. “(She’s) been playing a really tough shortstop defensively. She is doing nothing but getting better.”
