Raider Softball gets two wins over Charlotte

On Tuesday night, the Portland High School softball team opened their CAAC White conference schedule with two wins over Charlotte at home.

Game 1: Portland 17 – Charlotte 2

In the first game of the night, a 10 run fourth inning powered the Raiders to a 17-2 win over Charlotte in four innings.

Senior Gina Sonday, freshman Bailee Fish, sophomore Jayden Townsend, senior Paige Pung and freshman Autumn Reffit each had three hits in the game. Townsend hit an inside the park home run and a double while tallying three RBIs. Reffit hit a home run over the outfield fence and also had three RBIs. Anastasia Seidelman added a triple for the Raiders.

Townsend pitched the full game striking out six while allowing only two hits.

Game 2: Portland 16 – Charlotte 3

In the second game of the night, Portland tallied 16 runs to defeat the Orioles.

Sophomore Bella VanAlstine led the Raider offensively with two hits, including a double, and three RBIs. Townsend had two hits including a triple with two RBIs. Pung also had a hit in the game.

On the mound Townsend threw six more strike outs while walking one and allowing only six hits.

Last Week

The Raiders opened their season last week at Mason on Tuesday. Each tem picked up one win in the double header.

Last Thursday the Raiders traveled to Thornapple Kellogg where they lost both games.

Portland is now 3-3 on the season.

Coaches Comments

When asked about her team’s performance against Charlotte, Portland head coach Brandee Novara said, “I thought we played very well compared to the last four games. We started to hit the ball a lot better, which is what we needed to do. The girls will get some confidence from that. The pitching was very strong again today. Our pitcher was throwing the ball well, we just need to get some better defense behind her. We did that today so I am happy with that.”

Novara’s squad is light in varsity experience. The Raiders have only three seniors and one junior on the roster. When asked what she felt she needed to do to be successful with this young team, Novara said, “Confidence. It is building their confidence. At the plate. They struggled the first four games hitting and we came back and we hit the ball very well. I think they need a lot of conference, and a lot of repetition in practice. Base running, all that.”