Lady Lions

The RVCC Lady Lions concluded their 2006 season on April 18 with a tough loss, 12-9, to Bergen Community College. With the score tied 8-8 and bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Lady Lions were unable to push in the winning run. The defeat gave the squad an overall record of 2-14.

“This was a tough loss for us,” said Coach Bill Harnden, “but I was very proud of the player’s grit and determination. Next to a victory, you couldn’t have asked for a better finale.”

The road to that season finale began in January with late-afternoon team practices in the gym. In March, during spring break, the Lady Lions traveled to Conway, S.C., to start spring training. The team endured three-hour daily practices.
“Spring training really helped us out,” says Harnden. “Just getting used to field assignments, live pitching for our hitting exercises and conditioning helped the girls prepare for their season.”

It also gave the team an opportunity to develop and understand their coach’s philosophy of personal development first and then athletic development. Everyone who attended saw the employment of this philosophy in each and every player.

The highlight of the Lady Lions’season was their home opener against Middlesex Community College. Freshman pitcher Sarah Ortman picked up both victories in the doubleheader, and on the offensive end she went five for six with five RBI.

Freshman shortstop Megan Doherty contributed four hits. Playing a major role in the team’s offensive success were the Lady Lions’ top five hitters: Ortman (.316) and Doherty (.364), along with freshmen Jessica Harnden (.514) and Jessica Miller (.409) and sophomore Ashley Wolfe (.421).
Asked about the future, Coach Harnden replied,

“This was my best-hitting team for average (.307), and clearly the framework is set for a successful season next year. Next spring we will focus on improving our pitching and defense.”