Lawrence High softball pitcher Lauren Massey isn’t going to stop throwing.
She’d like a little offensive support from her teammates during the process, though.
Massey allowed just two earned runs in 14 innings but LHS lost both games of a doubleheader to Shawnee Mission West, 3-0 and 5-0, Wednesday afternoon at Holcom Complex.
The Lions tallied as many errors as hits (nine) during the doubleheader and fell to 1-13 this season, with Massey earning every decision in the circle.
Despite the lack of run support, Massey remained upbeat about her mentality.
“You can’t think about all those losses,” Massey said. “You just have to think of that game and for me, it’s that next pitch.”
Wednesday marked the seventh and eighth occurrences in 14 games this season that the Lions have been shut out.
“It’s all mental and lack of confidence,” LHS coach Reenie Stogsdill said. “They do it in practice, and they get out here and get all tense, and you can’t hit when you’re like that.”
The Lions’ best chance for a score came near the end of Game Two.
Down 5-0 in the sixth, Lawrence mounted a mini rally, loading the bases in the bottom of the inning on a Lauren Byrn single, a Mallory Reynolds single and a Massey walk. But the Lions were unable to piece together a comeback. The inning ended one batter later on a harmless groundout to first.
Massey fanned eight during her 14 innings in the circle.
“She’s doing really good,” senior right fielder Mariah Vaughn said. “She’s sticking in there. It’s really hard pitching all the time. I used to be a pitcher, so I give props to her.”
Lawrence takes on Shawnee Mission East at 5 p.m. today in a doubleheader at Holcom.
“I guess you just keep going out everyday hoping this is the day we finally put it together, because we can play good ball,” Stogsdill said. “But offensively, you don’t win with a zero on the board.”
Comments
Clickker 8 years, 2 months ago
It aint Reeny. It tends to be cyclical at these schools, and with Softball, you go how your pitcher goes, and until LHS has some hot shot pitching, they will flounder. Plus, all the good athletes are playing soccer in the spring.
mom_of_three 8 years, 2 months ago
Other good athletes and potential softball players could also be running track...
sbdad 8 years, 2 months ago
Hey Clickker, Two hits over 2 games and 14 innings, learn the game, pitching was the only hope they had last night. Any pitcher at any level, thats a good night, and not the first time it happened this year.
sbdad 8 years, 2 months ago
and, before we roast Reenie on an open spit lets not forget that most of the girls on this team at seasons end, will not pick up a softball again till next year. The girls on most of our opponents play year round. It's also about commitment.
mom_of_three 8 years, 2 months ago
i wouldn't go as far to say most (who don't play this summer)....especially for those on varsity.... But there are girls who play/can play softball, but choose to pursue other sports during the school year. I hear there are a couple of pretty good softball players on the track team.
Bleachergal 8 years, 2 months ago
Shame on some of you Lawrence softball fans! I'm a parent of a softball player from Olathe. I watched the Lions play SME last night, and I saw many girls from Lawrence giving their all on the field -- there were some great plays in the outfield and on the infield. Athough there were some offensive/defensive weaknesses, the weakness wan't in pitching. Your pitcher, (after throwing 2 complete games including overtime, plus hitting well), would have made Vince Lombardi proud. As the legendary coach said ....., "she worked her heart out for a good cause and lay exhausted on the field of battle". LHS has a consistently solid pitcher, with great pitch movement, who truely puts her whole heart in the game. She wore herself out pitching 40+ innings, 3 days in a row, with no reliever in sight and has to read "too bad they don't have better pitching" in the newspaper!
smemom 8 years, 2 months ago
I agree with bleachergal. I know Lauren personally, and believe she is not only a solid pitcher, but a person who truly loves the game, and a team leader. I've never heard her express one bad word about her LHS team mates, despite the team's struggles. My daughter plays at SME, and we have had our struggles in the past as well. This year we have a new varsity coach, and a new attitude, and so far we have won 5 games compared to 0 in the last two years! I'm not saying the LHS coach should resign, but maybe she should step outside the box and take a different approach with her team. They really did play well last night against the Lancers.
Commenting has been disabled for this item.