Softball Beats Tabor in Extra Frames for Thrilling Victory

Big Red softball played a great game this past weekend, beating Tabor Academy 13-12 in eight thrilling innings.The team had been looking forward to this game. “We were all really excited for Tabor,” senior co-captain Ashley Metcalf said. “We wanted that game so badly as we have had so many close games against Tabor where we haven’t come out with the win.”The day started off inauspiciously for the girls, as they quickly found themselves down by nine runs, but the team did not let the large deficit discourage them. “We still didn’t give up,” Metcalf said.“Today was all about energy and character,” upper Hannah Myers agreed. “We would not have won that game if we were missing a girl.”Upper Nina Meyers agreed. “We started hitting the ball in the right place and kept scoring. [Lower] Az[niv Nalbandian]’s grand slam was a real game-changer and got everyone pumped up,” she said.The team’s work ethic helped them earn the win. “To come back by nine runs to tie and then score four more in extra innings takes a team,” Myers said. “Everyone contributed.”Whether on the field or off, the girls were bursting with energy, but they also stayed focused. “By the time we got to extra innings it was really about keeping our heads and playing some solid defense,” Meyers said. “We got the job done and came home with an awesome win. I couldn’t be more proud of my team."Once our energy picked up, so did the rest of the game," Meyers continued. "Everyone was up at the fence cheering and that was what really kept the game going our way.”Metcalf, however, still sees some places for improvement. “We need to work on playing our best throughout the entire game instead of just a few innings,” she said.The team dynamic will help them improve. “All the girls are very supportive of one another, and that’s what makes this team so great to be a part of,” Meyers said.Myers looked ahead to upcoming opportunities. “Keeping the momentum we have right now, the Big East tournament is going to be a great place for us to put up runs like we did today,” she said.Metcalf added about this weekend’s tournament, “It will be the test to see how much we’ve grown as team.”