The Observer, April 7, 2006
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 23
Seeds takes over in Sunday doubleheader against Westminster
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The softball team's doubleheader against Westminster last Sunday became the Lauren Seeds show. The sophomore center fielder went 6-for-8 on the day, hitting a home run in each game of the doubleheader. She also scored four of her team's 10 runs as the Lady Spartans won both games, 5-1 and 5-4, in the Sunday sweep.
"She was crazy," said coach Jennie Amodio. "She was on that day. She wasn't really sure what happened, and I told her 'figure it out and keep doing it.'"
Due to her small stature, opposing pitchers might not think that Seeds is a power threat at the plate. However, she proved that she does have home run power in addition to her speed and ability to get on base.
"She's a strong kid," Amodio said. "Even her third hit of the second game almost went out, but it was a line drive that hit the fence."
Seeds did not do it alone, though, as she had plenty of help from her teammates. On the mound, Amanda Bell and Ruth Sagartz both threw excellent games. Bell tossed a complete game in the first half of the twinbill, scattering five hits and allowing only one run. She also had two hits of her own, including a home run, and drove in three runs. Bell's long drive to left field gave Case a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, which set the tone for the rest of the day.
Case scored its last two runs of the game on Seeds' homer in the fifth inning. The home run also scored Amber Hammell, who reached base with a one-out double. Westminster scored its lone run in the seventh inning on a home run by junior pitcher Jennifer Pancake.
The Spartans scored first again in the second game. After Carrie Casden reached on an error and Bell singled to left field, catcher Jen Bullen drove home Angel Rice on a sacrifice fly. Westminster, though, tied the game in the second inning. Pancake led off the inning with a single and later scored on a single by Amy Cornicelli.
The Lady Titans added two more runs in the third, thanks again to Pancake. She had a clutch, two-out single that brought home Heather Gurgiolo and Leah Hast. Pancake's hit put Westminster ahead, 3-1. Seeds cut the deficit to 3-2 in the bottom of the inning with her second home run of the day.
After Westminster scored an insurance run in the top of the seventh, it appeared as though the Lady Titans would gain a split of the doubleheader. However, the Spartans came back to score three times and earn perhaps their most thrilling victory of the season. Hammell began the inning with a double. The next three batters all reached, and Rice's single to right center scored Hammell to make the score 4-3. After Bell struck out, Bullen singled to left, scoring Rice. The hit was misplayed by the left fielder, and the error allowed Rice to score and give Case the victory.
The victory was the ninth of the year for the Spartans, which is one more they had during all of last season.
"I knew coming into this year that we would win more games than last year," Amodio said. "The reasons for that were that we have two strong pitchers, and also that we have stronger players returning. Carrie Casden, Lauren Seeds, and Amanda Bell are all examples of returning players who have been stepping up. They know what they need to do to win."
The Lady Spartans will look to continue their winning ways on the road this week. They travel to Calvin College for a doubleheader tomorrow, and then to Albion College for another doubleheader Sunday. They then battle local rival John Carroll on Monday. The Spartans won't return home until April 18 when they host Notre Dame College. With three doubleheaders in three games (weather permitting), the upcoming week represents a "make or break" part of the schedule for Case.
