Softball: Solid defense and explosive offense spur Yale's quick start

Last season, Yale had one of the league's youngest teams. They remain so this year, with only two seniors on the roster. Having virtually the same team as last year ensures a greater amount of cohesion. "[We've] come together both on and off the field," captain and pitcher Kristen Gengaro, SY '00, said.

But togetherness is not the only quality that makes this squad a contender for the Ivy title. As a team, the Elis set several team records last year in offensive categories, including runs, RBIs, hits, and total bases. Now they must improve their fielding. "A goal we had from last year was to work on our defense," Gengaro said. "We feel like our offense will always be there." Catcher Kristen Maturo, MC '01, added, "We've been working a lot more on fielding in practice than last year."

Over break, it was this revitalized defense combined with strong pitching, not hitting, that carried the Bulldogs. "Our pitching was incredible," Maturo said. Gengaro also pointed to the play in the field; she said, "The best thing about spring break was that we played great defense for the whole two weeks." The only bad news was the season-ending injury suffered by cleanup hitter Carlie Ware, SM '00. Yale is currently in the midst of a 12-game homestretch and plays a doubleheader vs. Vermont on Sat., Mar. 27.

--Joey Ax

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