They say a perfect record can become a burden over time, because it can put unnecessary pressure on a successful team.
The Reeths-Puffer softball team won’t have that hanging over their heads anymore as they prepare for a big week of competition.
The Rockets, who opened the season with 13 straight victories, dropped two one-run games to Lowell on Friday in non-conference action.
R-P lost the first game 3-2. They scored two runs in the first inning on an RBI single by Tessa Ross and an RBI sacrifice fly by Kenzie Jacobs, but Lowell answered with three runs and held the lead the rest of the way.
Lainey McDaniel
Lainey McDaniel pitched a complete game for the Rockets, giving up eight hits and three earned runs while striking out seven and walking one.
McDaniel also led the team at the plate with three hits, including two triples.
R-P lost the second game 7-6, after Lowell jumped out to an early lead and held it throughout the game. The Rockets fell despite outhitting the Red Arrows 13-7.
Makayla Jewett pitched a complete game for the Rockets, giving up seven hits, five earned runs and two walks while striking out five.
Tessa Ross
Ross had four hits while McDaniel, Caydence Rettinhouse and Kenney Masse all had two.
“I thought we played really well overall against a strong Lowell team that matched us on both offense and defense,” said R-P head coach Sarah Bayle. “We put a lot of runners in scoring position and just couldn’t find the timely hit to push them across.
“Two one-run losses like this will teach us more than a blowout win. I think we’re more prepared now because of it, and we’ll be motivated to come back stronger.”
The Rockets, now 13-2, will host rival Mona Shores in a big O-K Green conference doubleheader on Tuesday before traveling to Ludington for a non-conference doubleheader on Thursday.
On Saturday they will host the Greater Muskegon Athletic Association Tournament as they try to win the championship for the third straight year.