Lady Blue Devil softball team kicks off season

Lady Devils strike out 17 times in loss

Junior+Taylor+Shildt+struck+out+four+and+didnt+allow+an+earned+run+against+West+Branch.

Emily Wagner

Junior Taylor Shildt struck out four and didn’t allow an earned run against West Branch.

Yesterday against West Branch the Blue Devil softball team found out they still have some kinks they need to work out this season.

The Blue Devils lost 2-1 in the season-opener.

Going into the last inning the Blue Devils were winning 1-0, but they made all three of their errors in the Warriors’ last at-bat. Those errors led to 2 unearned runs from West Branch.

The Blue Devils found themselves unable to hit pitches thrown by West Branch pitcher Rachel Myers.  The Blue Devils had 17 strikeouts.

“I think we were all very nervous going up against Rachel,” said Edyn Convery. “She is the fastest pitcher that we will see all year.”

“We weren’t mentally prepared,” said Saige McElwain.  “The errors really hurt us.  We have to be more focused.”

The Blue Devils also had some players out. Laycee Clark was out with a concussion and Kelcie Dennis was at an FFA meeting.

“We have been practicing since early January for this season.  I know it’s not for nothing,” said Convery.  “We are going to go far this year.”

The Blue Devil softball team had only 3 hits and West Branch had 5.

Despite the loss, Taylor Shildt had a good game.  Shildt may have been the losing pitcher, but she had two hits and Bellwood’s only RBI. She also struck out West Branch batters 4 times.

The Blue Devil softball team plays against Thursday at Juniata Valley.