By: Alwyn Jimmy, Part-Time Staff Writer
Originally Published May 1, 2024
Going into the penultimate match week, SVC’s Softball Bearcats looked to bounce back from their last loss with a victory, that could lead them to a PAC playoff, after having endured a mixed bag. However, they were unable to sign off with a victory as they slumped to a defeat against Grove City in the final doubleheader in the regular PAC season. A difficult opening game ended with the team losing 15-1. Although the second game was tighter, it still ended in favor of Grove City, 6-2.
Jessica LaPorte, senior marketing major, was one of the players who was recognized in an on-field ceremony before the game. The corner infielder and designated hitter was among three other seniors who had helped guide the team to 78 wins over the last four years, with trips to the PAC postseason in both 2022 and 2023.
When asked on her feeling on this current season, she said:
“We have not done as well as we have in the past. Personally, this year has been my lowest batting average. As a team we couldn’t string hits together when we needed to. We have a very young team, and I don’t think we really gelled together as we started to progress through the season,” Laporte said. “I think this season we were not making the right adjustments when needed. We did not have the tenacity to be as successful as we could’ve been.”
When asked about her highlight of the season, she said:
“It is hard to really pick a highlight of this season. When you are a senior, you can’t take anything for granted. Staying physically healthy and getting to play my entire senior season was the real highlight. I was just happy to be included. It has been an honor to watch our freshman starters develop over the course of the season. Those players are going to be nothing short of incredible someday.”
LaPorte looked back on her softball journey with SVC with pride, reminiscing about her beginnings with the team, through the ups and downs of her time:
“Coming in as a freshman was scary. Covid was around and I will admit I was overwhelmed at first. Most of the upperclassmen had competed in a PAC championship game. I knew it was going to be difficult to get on the field.”
However, LaPorte was approached by the coach at practice on day and asked to pitch for the team. Coach approached me at practice one day and asked if I could pitch for the team. LaPorte was initially unsure of this, since she had been ‘set up to fail’ in pitching by coaches before SVC.
“I ended up becoming a starting pitcher the second half of my freshman season,” LaPorte said. “The confidence Coach Karr gave me freshman year helped me in every area of my life, and I will never be able to thank her enough for that. She made me realize I can do anything I truly put my mind to.”
LaPorte had to work through injuries her sophomore and junior years. Although her hopes fluctuated, she credits the athletic trainers and coaches at SVC for giving her more chances and having confidence in her to succeed during those same years. This assisted in the Bearcats gaining PAC tournament runs, LaPorte gaining second and first team PAC honors, and in other successes during both of those years.
“Going into senior year, I knew it would be a wild card. We had a totally new dynamic, and now the girls were looking at me to be a leader,” LaPorte said. “I might have played my last game, but I know that softball will always be an important part of my life. I cannot thank my coaches enough for the opportunity to play the game I have loved for over a decade.”
Currently sitting in seventh position in the PAC standings, the team will be hoping to qualify for the six-team PAC Championship Tournament. The team’s destiny is now out of their hands with their qualification relying on favourable results elsewhere during the doubleheaders between Waynesburg vs. Westminster and Washington & Jefferson vs. Bethany.
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