It was a day of celebration and controversy.
After the softball team broke a four-game losing streak last Wednesday with a 8-7 win in the first game of a doubleheader against St. Anselm, the Big Green moved on to lose the second game where a controversial forfeit was called by umpires, ending the game in St. Anselm's favor.
"It felt really good to get the win, especially to come from behind," Doster said. "Things were really clicking. We were putting it together."
As for the second game and its forfeit, Doster could only say, "It was the strangest game I've ever played in."
Heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, Dartmouth found itself facing a 7-2 deficit. With a 1-12 record behind them and two outs already, it looked to be a tough road for the Big Green.
Dartmouth, however, did not let the past affect its present play. The team managed to capitalize on every opportunity, coming from behind to score five runs and tie up the game at seven.
Catcher Jane Peachy '99 finished up her third RBI with a single to right field, driving in both Lauren McQuade '97, on third, and Bess Tortolani '98, on second, for the last two runs of the five.
At the start of the seventh, Dartmouth began right away to set up the players it would need to take the win.
Bridget Finn '99 took a base after she was hit by St. Anselm relief pitcher Theresa Daley's first pitch. Finn was able to move up to second on a sacrifice bunt from Julia Doster '97.
Freshman Gretchen Saegh managed to remain calm and did not crack under the pressure as she stepped up to the plate with two outs. Her infield single sent Finn to third.
Liz Teutsch '99 headed to the plate next and earned her second game-winning RBI of the season with a single up the center of the field that sent Finn down the home stretch. Finn's run gave Dartmouth the 8-7 win.
"We held them in the top of the seventh which was key. It was big for us," Doster said.
Christina Maybaum '98 started on the mound for the Big Green, going five innings to keep her team within reach of a victory. Maybaum held the opposition to five runs on seven hits.
Seeing nine batters during the fifth inning, Maybaum allowed only three runs.
Raili Cook '98 picked up from where Maybaum left off in the sixth. Her play during the final two innings gave her the win.
Cook has been credited with both of Dartmouth's wins this season.
"We took a different approach to this game. We were trying to concentrate on being intense and focus on what we were doing instead of what's going on around us. That's what we did," Teutsch said.
In the second game of the afternoon, Dartmouth got down again early on, trailing St. Anselm 8-0 after four innings, and things only got worse for the Big Green.
In order to be considered a complete game, five innings needed to be played out.
St. Anselm, wanting to pick up the win, responded to the fast-approaching darkness by swinging at every Dartmouth pitch.
Dartmouth Head Coach Steffany Bender came back at St. Anselm's strategy with a call for pitch-outs.
And that's when the controversy came in. The St. Anselm batters swung at the pitch-outs, having no intention of hitting the ball.
Bender went to the umpires at this point to confirm that a batter cannot do that. Bender's complaint brought all coaches and umpires in on the debate, and according to Teutsch, the first base umpire called the end of the game, handing St. Anselm a forfeit victory.
"He forfeited for us which is not possible," Teutsch said.
"Also, the home plate umpire is supposed to call the game, not the first base umpire," she said.
According to Doster, Bender does not agree with the forfeit call and is trying to get the call reversed.
The team continues its season play today with a doubleheader against Columbia at home. The first game begins at 3:00 p.m.
