Bats, pitching leading softball Stars

By Brodee Gillam

Sports Editor

The Stars showed up to shock the Ancilla College Chargers.

LCC's softball team won both games of the doubleheader against Ancilla on Tuesday, March 28 in Donaldson, Ind. The Stars won 6-5 in the first game and 14-4 in the second game.

The win improved the Stars to 11-9-1 on the season, and 4-0 in the MCCAA West.

In the 14-4 win, sophomore Rebecca Piron and freshman Taylor VanZytveld both hit a home run against the Chargers. VanZytveld also pitched two innings, only allowing three hits and one run.

Stars Head Coach Marc Kibby said the improving quality of LCC's pitching provides a boost for the team.

"Both of our pitchers, Taylor and (freshman) Connor (Proctor), they are starting to get more comfortable pitching at the college level," Kibby said. "(They) are understanding to stay more relaxed and, what we call, muscling the ball, which makes their balls flatten out.

"They're getting used to relaxing and letting the defense help out. They don't have to strike everybody out."

Freshman outfielder Ashley Cross has provided much-needed consistency with her bat for LCC. Cross had 12 runs, 11 RBIs and a batting average of .322 through March 30.

Cross said her stability is caused by her positive batting habits.

"I try to go up to the plate with a clear mindset and tell myself that I'm going to hit the ball," Cross said. "(I) picture it happening, and do what we work on in practice and apply it to my swing in the game."