A dozen games into the softball season, the Labette Cardinals have struggled out of the gate. After dropping both games of a home doubleheader against No. 17 North Iowa Area, 9-0, 11-8, on Wednesday, Labette sports a 2-10 record.
“Our schedule is tough, but our expectation is to be those teams,” Labette head coach Ryan Phillips said. “We have to be those teams and not just play them. That has to be our mentality. We have to have an understanding that you have to be the best team on the field every day.”
The one defense of Labette’s slow start is the brutality of its schedule — four of the Cardinals’ five opponents are Division I schools.
The lone wins Labette has on the year are against Pratt and Rose State on Feb. 8 and March 5.
Labette’s pitching staff has posted an 8.24 ERA through 12 games.
“We’re down in all aspects,” Phillips said. “What was thought to be a strength — our pitching — isn’t. We’re not doing our job in getting ahead in counts. Even today, we’re putting too many leadoff runners on. Good teams push that runner around to score.”
In Game 2 of Wednesday’s series against North Iowa Area, the Cardinals surrendered nine runs with two outs.
“Early on, I give them more opportunity to see how they approach adversity,” Phillips said. “At this point, it’s going to be a shorter leash. You’re either doing your job or we’ll put somebody else out there. We have enough depth, so we’re going to use it. We’re giving up too many big innings.”
Jaden Jordan has been the brightest spot offensively for the Cardinals, posting a .550 average and slugging 1.250 with five home runs, including one in Game 2 against North Iowa Area.
“She’s doing well at the plate,” Phillips said. “Teams are going to see what she’s doing and change up their approach. But she’s hitting to all sides of the field. That’s something we addressed with her. Good teams won’t give her a lot of pitches inside. So being able to hit middle-oppo is what we’ve worked on and she’s doing a great job.”
Up next
Labette hosts Southwestern on Saturday then NEO A&M on Monday. KJCCC play starts on March 29 against Cowley, also at home for the Cardinals.
