Maranda Runco

Softball

Seniors Shine at the Plate, while King Deals in Softball's Four Game Weekend

As Softball continues its fall season, the team ramped up its game schedule by playing four games last weekend. Competing against St. Joseph's, East Stroudsburg, Manhattan, and LIU. 

The game against the Hawks came on the road on Friday, followed by a contest at home with the Warriors on Saturday, and rounded out by a double-header against the Sharks and Jaspers on Sunday on the road. 

Head coach Bridget Orchard mentioned how important it is for the team to get reps against different opponents during the Fall Season, but also the importance for the coaches trying to figure out a lineup. 

"Playing against four opponents in the weekend helped us to try different lineups and see different people in different positions," said Coach Orchard. "It's always great to face a lot of different pitchers as well; we made some great adjustments. Five different players hit home runs over the weekend, and we were able to put a lot of runs up."

One of the players who hit one of many home runs across the weekend for the 'Cats was Maranda Runco. The senior returns to the mainline after an All-BIG EAST First Team selection last season, when she hit 39 home runs, drove in 37 runs, and pitched in 14 games. She led the team in both home runs with nine and RBIs with 37.

Over the weekend, Runco hit seven for 11 to earn a .636 batting average that included three home runs, a double, and two walks. A performance that head coach Orchard noted as one of her top performers.

"A great teammate and works extremely hard to do whatever the team needs from her," said Orchard. "Maranda loves to compete and is always there for her teammates first. She is the first one to help the newcomers with anything they need. She is asked to play infield, hit, and pitch, so she really has to put a lot of extra time in, and it has paid off for her."

Runco is joined by fellow senior Grace Reed, who had two home runs of her own over the weekend while batting .461 on 13 plate appearances. 

The Clinton, N.J. native appeared in 42 games as a junior, starting in 21, where she accounted for five home runs, good for second on the team. Reed also tallied 11 RBIs at the plate, and in the field she collected a .969 fielding percentage with 70 total putouts.

"Grace is the most experienced and versatile on the field amongst all returners," said Orchard. "This Fall mostly working at 3rd base.  She has a lot of power at the plate, and when she is seeing the ball, she is an extremely tough out. The team will look to her for leadership and support."

The team's batting wasn't the only area that impressed this weekend, as the pitching staff had a strong showing highlighted by Maggie King. 

The sophomore had 10 shutdown innings across the games this weekend, only allowing four hits and no runs for a 0.00 ERA. In addition, King had her pitches rolling with eight total strikeouts in the action. 

"She is having fun, working hard, and mentoring the freshman pitchers," said coach Orchard. "Maggie came back with a different kind of energy this year and is locked in to make a huge impact on and off the field. It has been awesome to see her so motivated and focused."

As a whole, the 'Cats are focused throughout the fall and bring an energy of competing each day and getting better each day. 

For a team with only four seniors, the team is full of youth and energy that is mentored and guided by its senior class and its two new coaches, Billie Kerwood and Katie Scheivert. The new intensity and energy to get better is something that Coach Orchard is thrilled about.

"Our returners are locked in and focused on getting the team better every day," said Coach Orchard. "Our new assistants, Katie and Billie, have helped a lot as well, bringing a competitive mindset but also focusing on the importance of teamwork to be successful."
 
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Players Mentioned

Grace Reed

#11 Grace Reed

INF
5' 7"
Junior
Maranda Runco

#25 Maranda Runco

1B/P
5' 9"
Junior
Maggie King

#31 Maggie King

P
5' 9"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Grace Reed

#11 Grace Reed

5' 7"
Junior
INF
Maranda Runco

#25 Maranda Runco

5' 9"
Junior
1B/P
Maggie King

#31 Maggie King

5' 9"
Freshman
P