SMC's final doubleheader was postponed by rain, moving it to an oddly frozen afternoon in NH that only 10 players could make -- as Lindsay, Lauren, and KatieW had unchangeable academic obligations. The short-handed contingent rose to the occassion against Franklin Pierce, breaking open a close opener and rolling to a 12-1 victory. Game 2 got away from Purple Knights, as the Ravens came back for the split, 9-1.

Game one had plenty of offensive highlights: Ashley had a 3-run triple; MeghanC had 2 hits, including a triple, scored twice and drove in 2; Katelyn had 2 singles, an RBI, and 2 runs scored (all in the same inning); Kristen had two hits, a run, and 2 rbi; KateC had a huge rbi double and scored; KellyE singled, scored twice, and bunted in a run; MegO singled, scored, and drove in two ... In Game 2, Katelyn had a single and scored on Ashley's RBI double. Defensive highlights? On the mound, MegO struck out the side to open game one; in the field, MeghanC threw out another would-be tying run early in game one as Heather hung on with another brilliant tag ...

SMC finished the year 8-29 -- the 2nd best wins total of the non-Roberge years since the program was reinstated in 1990. While the W/L's didn't work out the way many would have liked, the Purple Knights welcomed many new faces, had many outstanding moments, mounted many exciting comebacks, were a hit or a play or two away in so many games, and were so good to each other as teammates, it was a successful season on many levels.

This ends Kater's (Billie's?) sophomore year in college softball -- another year marred by the bicep tendon (kept her off the mound all season), a badly sprained ankle limited her speed and range the last 12 games, and she broke her fibula in the last game with a HBP ... Still, she started all 37 games, was 4th on team in hits and 2nd on team in steals and runs, led the team in fielding percentage -- and threw out 7 runners from Centerfield, 6 of them to Heather at the plate. A year to be proud of, on a young team with a bright future.