Yale softball searches for an offensive spark

"We're going to continue focusing on our hitting,"catcher and outfielder Kristen Maturo, MC '01, said. "We just need to regain our confidence and swing aggressively."

The needed power on offense may come from third baseman Jesseka Bartholomew, ES '03, who leads the team with a batting average of .375. Bartholomew has produced seven RBIs and one homerun this season. Right fielder Britni Fabacher, PC '04 (.273, 4 RBIs), centerfielder Alice Liu, SY '01 (.303, 9 RBIs), and Maturo (.264, 6 RBIs, 1 HR) bring additional fire to the Bulldog offense.

In the first doubleheader of the weekend against Fairfield (L 4-3, L 5-2), both Bartholomew and Maturo hit their first career homeruns. Against Providence (L 8-0, L 7-3), Bartholomew batted 2-for-2 with a run and a walk in the second game of the doubleheader. She delivered again with two hits in the first game against Marist (L 5-1), while Fabacher went 2-for-2 and scored two runs in the second game (W 4-2).

The Bulldogs responded to their weekend play by splitting two games against Rhode Island on Wed., Mar. 28 (L 4-3, W 4-3). As the team prepares for Army and Stony Brook, it also anticipates Ivy League conference play, which begins in April. "Everybody has a shot in the Ivies this season, and I don't say that lightly," Coach Andy Van Etten said. He believes that with an improved offense, Yale will be a fierce conference challenger.

—Rachel Luberda

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