ARNOLD, MD – The Riverhawk softball team finished their 2017 season with a loss to Butler County Community College in the Region XX Championship Game. The Riverhawks finished 13-25 on the season and 4-14 in the conference.
Entering the tournament, the Riverhawks had to take on the Wolfpack of Westmoreland County Community College for the first round. Leading off with a great first two innings, the Riverhawks claimed an early lead, which they were able to hold onto – winning 8-1 over WCCC.
With the championship match-up set, the Riverhawks would have to face Butler County CC and defeat them twice to claim the Region XX title. Game one was awarded to the Pioneers of Butler as some late scoring in the bottom of the fifth inning help them secure a 9-2 victory.
Game two, with the title on the line, had each team fighting relentlessly. A tight game, the Riverhawks just could not overcome Butler's slight lead, ultimately losing 4-2. The Pioneers would claim the Region XX Championship title, as the Riverhawks would finish as Runner-Ups.
It was a tough season for the Riverhawks as they were faced with injuries to an already small roster of just 11 athletes. Co-head coaches Guy Klingensmith and Brittany Nunez commented on their teams' performances through the season, "I think the two things that stand out most would be (1) how well we persevered through injuries, tough travel schedules, and inclement weather and (2) which is biggest to me – how great it was to observe the women/coaches/ground crews/faculty working together through it all." Stated Klingensmith. Coach Nunez agrees upon the positive collaboration and cooperation and adds in praise to the athletes who continued to show up and push through.
It would seem that the perseverance the coaches discussed paid off as Jenna Weinstein, Brittney Barlow, and Kaitlyn Nutwell were named All-Region first team and Alyssa Thompson named All-Region honorable mention. Furthermore, for her season performance, Nutwell also earned a spot on the All-Conference team list, with second team honors.
With incoming athletes already signed to NJCAA Letters of Intent the Riverhawks will look to continue their work ethic and improve in the off-season.