GOSHEN, Ind. - The Goshen softball team lost both games of their Senior Day doubleheader against Grace on Saturday. The Lancers won 8-4 and 4-3. Seniors Alisyn Catenacci, Olivia Gibson, Mckenzie Richardson, Lily Robles, Ellie Van Heerde and Kyra Wilson were recognized before game one.

Game One
Grace scored six of their eight runs in the fifth inning. Before that point, the Leafs had a 3-1 lead.

Shea VanScoter scored on a wild pitch in the first inning, and Olivia Gibson hit a two-RBI single in the third. But in the fifth inning, the Lancers had five hits as they took a 7-3 lead. Two RBI singles tied the game, but the following four runs were all unearned. Halle Nett reached on a fielder's choice, and a fielding error on the shortstop brought in two runs. Leadoff hitter Bella Duran was up next and hit a two-RBI single through the right side.

Kamille Badibanga hit an RBI groundout in the bottom of the sixth to make it 7-4, but the Lancers scored once in the seventh and the Leafs had no answer. Alisyn Catenacci allowed two earned runs in 5.1 innings. Camryn Barrows had the loss after allowing two earned runs in 1.2 innings. She had three strikeouts and one walk allowed.

Goshen was outhit 9-7. Olivia Gibson had two of Goshen's hits, two singles and two RBIs. Shea VanScoter scored two of the Goshen runs.

Game Two
The second contest was back-and-forth throughout, but a seventh-inning run meant Grace would be leaving with two wins on the day.

Shea VanScoter started the scoring with a leadoff home run in the first inning - the third time she has had a leadoff home run in the last five games. Grace's Briee Gardinier responded with a two-run home run in the second and an RBI single by Cassie Hayes made it 3-1. In the fifth, Olivia Gibson hit a two-run shot, scoring her and VanScoter and tying the game.

VanScoter held Grace off as the starting pitcher, but the Lancers eventually scored a run in the seventh to break the tie with an RBI double. The Maple Leafs had runners on first and second in the seventh inning when a lineout ended the game.

VanScoter had a 3-4 day at the plate with two runs and two extra-base hits. She threw all seven innings on the mound and is 3-3 with the loss. She allowed three earned runs and ten hits. Olivia Gibson went 2-4 with two RBIs, a run, a single, a home run, and a stolen base.

Goshen (23-21, 12-18 CL) was 6-14 at home this year but they are 17-7 in games that have been on the road or at a neutral site. Their last six games are on the road, starting at Taylor on Tuesday, April 23, at 4:00 pm.

Here is what was said about the six Goshen seniors for Senior Day:
Fans, we would now like to recognize our 2024 softball seniors.

But before we do, we would first like to congratulate the Grace senior softball players for excellent careers with the Lancers. May the Grace seniors please step forward. Fans, let's give them a round of applause!

Now please direct your attention to home plate, where we are joined by head coach Luke Wagner and assistant coach Jaelyn Rufenacht.

The seniors being recognized today have demonstrated full lives of faith, unity, learning, and leadership during their time as Goshen College student-athletes. Their legacies are cemented into the history of Goshen College and they will forever be Maple Leafs.

First to be recognized is #11, Alisyn Catenacci! Alisyn is being escorted by her mom Kelly Catenacci and her dad Mike Catenacci. She is a nursing major and plans to work as an ER nurse after graduating. Alisyn is currently second in program history in home runs, fourth in RBIs, tied for third in pitching wins and fourth in strikeouts thrown. In Crossroads League games this year, she is ranked fourth in strikeouts per game, at 5.75. Thank you, Alisyn!

Next up is #32, Olivia Gibson! Olivia is escorted by her mom Barbara Gibson and stepfather Charles Puntillo. She is a nursing major with a Spanish minor and is pursuing a position in a children's hospital to work as a pediatric nurse and eventually earn her NP license. Olivia had a strong sophomore season before being sidelined with an ACL injury. As a senior,, she has led the team with a .391 batting average, is second in runs scored and third in hits. Thank you, Olivia!
 
Next, we have #13, Mckenzie Richardson! Mckenzie is being escorted by her parents Mindi and Adam Richardson and her grandparents Karen and Rob Ratcliff. She is double majoring in secondary education and history. After college she will become a history teacher, coach softball, and wants to spend more time going fishing. In 2023, Mckenzie earned a spot on the NFCA NAIA All-Region Second Team for Section VI and was selected to the All-Crossroads League Second Team. This year she leads the team in walks and is third in RBIs. Thank you, Mckenzie!
 
Next up is #3, Lily Robles! Lily is being escorted by Vicky Naylor, Klara Ebert, Lexy Adamczyk, Shea VanScoter, Jasmine Smith and Rachel Kates. She is a criminal justice and restorative justice major with a minor in psychology. After college she plans to work in the juvenile justice system and assist kids as they rehabilitate out of it. Lily boasts one of the lowest strikeout per at bat ratios at a meager 3.6%. As a senior Lily has experienced her finest season starting multiple games behind the plate, as well as seeing opportunities as a pinch hitter for the Maple Leafs. Thank you, Lily!
 
Next we have #20, Ellie Van Heerde! Ellie is being escorted by her parents Jeremy and Suzanne Van Heerde. She is an education major with a minor in mild disability studies. After graduation she will work towards earning her license as a teacher and teach a general education or a special education classroom. Throughout her career, Van Heerde has played in 140 games, posting a 6-2 record in the circle, and swiping 31 stolen bases as a Maple Leaf. An exceptional defensive player, Ellie has kept a perfect fielding percentage since her sophomore year. Thank you, Ellie!

Last but not least is #5, Kyra Wilson! Kyra is being escorted by her parents Carl and Leslie Wilson. She is an education major with a minor in mild disability studies. Upon graduating from Goshen, Kyra has already accepted a position as a registered behavior technician, and plans to enroll at Ball State to earn a masters degree and become a board-certified behavioral analyst. As a catcher in more than 100 career games for Goshen, Kyra has grown as a pitch caller.  In 2023 she was instrumental in leading the Maple Leafs' pitching staff to one of their finest performances to date; recording a program record 16 Crossroad League wins. Thank you, Kyra!
 
Fans, please help me give a round of applause to your 2024 softball seniors!