Constantin '11 constantly threw strikes

Author: Peter Baumann

Despite the Middlebury softball team's consistently high level of competition this season, it was fitting that Senior Day, the last collegiate performance for Middlebury seniors Katelyn Cannella '08, Brittany Burke '08 and Allison Bard '08, included plenty of drama, moments of let-down and an exciting, come-from-behind victory. By splitting their doubleheader with Hamilton College last Saturday, the Panthers finish the year with a record of 14-20. The victory was the 70th in the career of these illustrious seniors against only 51 losses. The group leaves Middlebury as one of the most successful senior classes in program history.

Interestingly, on a day specifically to honor the seniors, it was pitcher Geena Constantin '11 who carried the team through the first six innings of game one. Her complete-game, six-hit effort in which she gave up only three unearned runs kept the Panthers in the game, and her 3-for-4 day at the plate provided the majority of the Middlebury offense early.

"Geena is a great player, and she really exudes confidence in a great way," said Bard. "She had command on the mound [on Saturday], and backed it up with her hitting as well."

However, despite Constantin's effort, the Panthers still found themselves down 3-1 entering their half of the seventh inning. A single up the middle from Emily Burbridge '11 got things started with one out, and later in the inning, with two outs and the bases loaded, Burke stepped to the plate. Delivering in the clutch, Burke stroked a single up the middle, plating the tying and go-ahead runs and sending the Middlebury faithful into a frenzy.

"While I was on-deck I was hoping that Bard would get on so that I would get to have another chance," said Burke. "In the box, I was focused on hitting the ball on the ground. I have no recollection of what she threw me, but it was something over the plate."

Due in large part to four errors leading to seven unearned runs, the Panthers dropped game two, 8-1, but the prevailing image of the day was of the Panthers mobbing their teammates after the walk-off win in game one.

"It was really important to us to pick up a win for the seniors last weekend," said Constantin. "They have been great leaders on and off of the field. I think there was no better way to send them off than with such an intense, bottom-of-the-seventh win."