QUEENSBURY – The 2014 Lady Raiders softball squad got their first taste of game conditions when they scrimmaged the Lady Timberwolves of SUNY Adirondack on Thursday afternoon. While outside the weather was cold and windy, and the snow was deep, playing conditions were excellent inside the dome at the Adirondack Sports Complex.
Photo: Kelsey Taber scores FM's first run of 2014 as Stephanie Rice looks on
The FM Nine had a good season of "Fall Ball" during the first semester, but it had been over four months since the players got to see high fly balls or to run out 200-foot hits. They got to do all that and more on Thursday.
Adirondack and FM each had a good amount of warmup time on and off the indoor softball field. Both teams also utilized the dome's batting cages. Then they took the field and had a three-hour session of regulation innings. That session was divided into two "games," with Adirondack being the home team for the first game and FM being the home side for the second. Two college umpires officiated.
No scores were kept since the event was a scrimmage. However, both teams seemed to score about the same number of runs during the afternoon.
Photo: FM third baseman Cori Manson throws the Adirondack runner out at first base
Both teams used two pitchers during the afternoon. FM's ladies in the circle were Brittany Keator and Alyssa Palmateer. Both teams also had all of their players bat, rather than limiting the batting to the starting nines.
FM's infield play was basically solid. Stephanie Rice impressed at shortstop, and Cori Manson handled the hot corner well. Rebekah Reichard was steady at first base. Pitchers Keator and Palmateer split time at second base when they were not in the circle. Alix Leo handled the catching duties. The entire infield seemed fully capable. The outfielders also got good game experience, but they saw less action because most live balls were played by the infielders.
Head Coach Meghan Power, seemed delighted for the team to have the dome experience. After the game she stated, "It was good to get out of the gym and see live pitching and popups. I am pleased with our performance, but we still have a lot to work on."
Photo: Stephanie Rice drills an RBI double
The regular softball season is scheduled to begin in less than two weeks. The first game is to be played at Herkimer CCC on March 25. The first home game is to be with the Lady Hornets of SUNY Broome on April 3. However, the winter weather has been colder and snowier than in recent years. It is almost a certainty that some schedule changes will be made. This website will post all softball and baseball schedule changes just as soon as they are known.
C.J. Bonny, website writer
Video highlights are available through the Multimedia page or by clicking here.
Photo: Ally Ostrander out at home
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