The Rams (0-1) dropped their season opener by a score of 9-1 against the Nighthawks (12-4) of the University of North Georgia in the UNG Captain D’s Classic.
Through five innings of play, the Rams were hanging right there with the Nighthawks, as both teams could not generate much of anything offensively.
The Nighthawks only score to that point (which put them up 1-0) was on a RBI single by utility player Alishia Frierson that brought in outfielder Stephanie Hartness.
Once it reached the fifth inning, however, the Rams were not able to contain the bats of the Nighthawks.
In that fifth inning, catcher Jessica Finch of the Nighthawks stepped to the plate and hit a grounder to the first baseman that got her out, but it allowed teammate outfielder Whitney Worth to make the score 2-0 Nighthawks.
The long ball then opened up for the Nighthawks in the sixth inning, as infielder Sydney Sprague blasted a two-run homerun to right center that brought in teammate outfielder Allison Neely to augment the score to 4-0.
Another homerun by utility player Kaylyn Anthony to left center drove home three more runs that put the game out of reach for the Rams, as they now trailed 7-0.
In the seventh inning, the Rams scored their only run of the game thanks to an error by the Nighthawks’ shortstop with the bases loaded that allowed all runners to advance, with sophomore second baseman/shortstop Morgan Cox scoring on the play.
Trailing 7-1, this run proved to be too-little-too-late, as the Nighthawks would post two more runs in route to the 9-1 victory.
The Rams struggled mightily at the plate, recoding only one hit in the contest, a double by sophomore shortstop/outfielder Kaitlyn Konopka.
Starting pitcher Kylee Smith (7-1 on the season) was a big reason why the Rams struggled heavily at the plate. She posted six innings of work, gave up one hit, struck out 12, and walked two, not allowing a single earned run.
In the loss, starting pitcher Kaitlin Munda of the Rams tossed 5.2 innings, gave up seven runs on ten hits, struck out seven, and walked two. Simply put, it was not her best outing as a Ram.
Going forward, the Rams will surely look to shake off this performance throughout the weekend tournament.
The Rams will play Seton Hill at 4 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.
On Sunday, the Rams play Seton Hill University (Pa.) again at 10 a.m. and the University of North Georgia again at 12 p.m.
Anthony Bracken is the Sports Editor of The Picket. He can be reached at abrack02@rams.shepherd.edu