Matt Olszewski
Sports Editor
The College of Wooster women’s softball team has been on a hot streak lately. As of April 8, they have won seven games in a row and continue to gain momentum as they will be facing some tough conference foes in the latter part of this season. The team had a very successful spring trip down to Florida in March during which they went 8-4 — a very good beginning to their season. Currently, the Scots sit at 15-7 with a NCAC record of 4-0.
Their head coach, Victoria Rumph, has had an extremely positive impact on the whole team and their success so far this season. “My favorite thing about Coach Rumph is how knowledgeable about the sport she is … Coach Rumph puts a lot of faith in us and always pushes us to be the best we can be. No matter how the team is performing, she always has high energy and trusts us to make comebacks,” said Grace Randall ’22. Kendall Lloyd ’20 added, “Our coach is always supporting us … softball can’t last forever but [she] comes back and gives the time and effort to the sport and our girls,” she said.
In addition to the coaching, the team dynamic has been crucial as well, which Morgan Bailey ’20 reflected on. “Accountability is something that is stressed in our team culture this season. We are comfortable enough to hold each other accountable in practice and in games to continue to grow and get better,” she said. Rachel Ginsburg ’21 added, “I think this strong dynamic reassures everyone on the team that we believe in them … It gives everyone the confidence they need to perform their best,” she said.
The team has had several highlights throughout the season so far, all of which have played into the team’s success so far. “I think Olivia Johnson’s grand slam, our 8-1 comeback win in Florida, or our sweep over Witt are the major highlights of the season [so far],” said Ginsburg. The Scots recently swept Wittenberg University by scores of 6-2 and 7-4, as well as swept Kenyon College 7-5 and 7-2.
More recently, the team beat John Carroll University in a double-header on Sunday, April 7 by scores of 4-0 and 10-1 (in five innings). Emmalee Cooke ’21, the second-baseman, has been a key contributor for the Scots especially on offense throughout the season. In the first game against John Carroll, she had two hits on three at-bats, and scored a run. In the second game she was even more impressive, totaling three hits on three at-bats, amounting for three RBIs and scoring two runs. Other players were key contributors as well in the immense amount of offense they have had so far this season. In short, in their second game of the day, the Scots had a slugfest against the Lobos of John Carroll.
Throughout the course of the season, the team has changed in a positive way according to the players. “I think one thing that has changed from the beginning of the season is definitely our confidence,” said Randall. Ginsburg noted that the team has “gotten a lot better at closing out and winning games” ever since the trip to Florida in which they lost two games by only one run.
Several players were also asked about what they look forward to the rest of this season. Bailey noted the importance of not getting ahead of themselves: “[We are] winning one game at a time while competing for the top spot in the conference to host the championships at home,” she said. Lloyd had a similar response. “We are halfway through our season, so I look forward to enjoying the little moments and taking it day-by-day. I look forward to seeing what we all can accomplish together and how many people we can surprise,” she said.
The Wooster women’s softball team is also definitely unique from other teams in the conference. “Our team is unique because of its outstanding potential. Like I said, our lineup and bench are full of hard hitters, and great defensive players. We are hungry for wins and to host the conference tournament, and have the skill to achieve it,” said Cooke.
The Scots will travel to Denison University for a double-header on Saturday, April 13, hoping to add to their strong conference resume.