Pretty disappointing end to the season yesterday.
Two weekends ago the Flyers swept league-leading
Fordham and moved into first place themselves. An A-10 title was theirs to lose - just win 2 of 3 last weekend against
UMass. Well, the Flyers were swept by UMass, and fell out of first place. However, they did get a first round bye in the A-10 tournament as the second place team.
When the all-conference teams were announced this past week, Dayton's Manda Cash was named A-10 pitcher of the year. One would have expected Cash to start the first Flyer game of the tournament on Friday - against UMass - but she did not. Dayton lost 5-0. Have no idea why Cash did not pitch against UMass.
Later Friday, in the Flyer's second game of the day, Cash started and went 5 innings until darkness suspended the game. Saturday morning the final 2 innings were played with Cash pitching both innings and Dayton winning 2-1.
Then, Saturday afternoon, Cash pitched all 12 innings in a 1-0 end of season loss to Fordham.
In all Cash pitched 19 innings in two days and gave up only 2 runs - both of which were unearned. I am not sure what else she could have done.
Dayton had solid pitching all season, but the offense was rarely to be found. In their last 6 games - the UMass series and then the A-10 tournament - the Flyers were outscored 22-3. Can't win if you can't score. If you can't hit why not play small ball - bunt to get on, bunt em over, steal, etc. Just did not see it.
Thought we had a decent chance to make the dance this year. Should be a solid squad next year as well with much of the pitching returning. However, they need to find some players that know how to hit.
Fordham won 3 games today and are A-10 champs and headed to the NCAA.