Candace Saucedo came through in a pinch for the Bobcats.
With the score tied 3-3 and runners on first and second, Saucedo stepped to the plate as a pinch hitter.
The junior came through with a two-run double. She would later come around to score what turned out to be the winning run in Saturday's 6-5 Bobcat win.
But Saucedo said pinch hitting is far from simple.
It's not an easy thing to do to not be really active
Saucedo said. You take practice swings here and there but not being able to go the whole game it's a hard thing to do.
Saucedo has been making it look easy as of late. She is 2-for-4 in her last four pinch-hitting appearances, including Saturday's double.
The Ontario, Calif. native has proven to be an important part of coach Jodi Hermanek's team.
She's usually one of our go-to (designated players)
Hermanek said. One of the things about Candace is that she has that power potential. She's kind of a regular constant for us on offense.
She's a mature hitter and doesn't get rattled.
Whether she is a designated hitter or delivering a big pinch hit
Saucedo sees herself as having an important role for a young Bobcat team.
I definitely consider myself one of the leaders on our team, Saucedo said. Being a leader you don't have to be on the field 24/7 with your teammates, you can show it through your voice and being supportive of your team.
Being able to come through for my team when they need it really helps. They have a lot of confidence in me and I have a lot of confidence in them.
Saucedo and the Bobcats will look to continue their winning ways when they take on Toledo and Bowling Green in four Mid-American Conference games this weekend.
Both teams have struggled as of late.
Toledo (5-29, 3-7 MAC) has lost seven games in a row. BGSU (7-22, 2-8 MAC) has had an even rougher stretch. The Falcons are losers of their last eight contests.
Despite their struggles, Hermanek won't let her team approach these games any differently.
One of the things we've found throughout the year is that every team is going to stick around with you
Hermanek said. The lower teams have challenged us in ways that some of the top teams have not.
Our focus is to make sure that we come out and do the things we're good at: knock the starting pitcher off the mound, give ourselves the opportunity to score runs, take care of the ball defensively and get closer and closer to our A-game.",",2,Sports,Michael Lewis,27911a.jpg,Junior Candace Saucedo pitches against Ohio Valley on April 23. Ohio will play Bolwing Green tomorrow and Sunday. (FILE),",",",","
27911,2009-04-17 01:10:00,Softball: Junior's hitting comes in clutch,Candace Saucedo's talents as a hitter is pulling through Ohio at tough spots.,Candace Saucedo came through in a pinch for the Bobcats.
With the score tied 3-3 and runners on first and second
Saucedo stepped to the plate as a pinch hitter.
The junior came through with a two-run double. She would later come around to score what turned out to be the winning run in Saturday's 6-5 Bobcat win.
But Saucedo said pinch hitting is far from simple.
It's not an easy thing to do to not be really active, Saucedo said. You take practice swings here and there, but not being able to go the whole game, it's a hard thing to do.
Saucedo has been making it look easy as of late. She is 2-for-4 in her last four pinch-hitting appearances
including Saturday's double.
The Ontario
Calif. native has proven to be an important part of coach Jodi Hermanek's team.
She's usually one of our go-to (designated players), Hermanek said. One of the things about Candace is that she has that power potential. She's kind of a regular constant for us on offense.
She's a mature hitter and doesn't get rattled.
Whether she is a designated hitter or delivering a big pinch hit, Saucedo sees herself as having an important role for a young Bobcat team.
I definitely consider myself one of the leaders on our team
Saucedo said. Being a leader you don't have to be on the field 24/7 with your teammates
you can show it through your voice and being supportive of your team.
Being able to come through for my team when they need it really helps. They have a lot of confidence in me and I have a lot of confidence in them.
Saucedo and the Bobcats will look to continue their winning ways when they take on Toledo and Bowling Green in four Mid-American Conference games this weekend.
Both teams have struggled as of late.
Toledo (5-29
