The Atoms softball team headed into their remaining games of the year with the season more than halfway through, by taking on the West Springfield Spartans on April 21.

In honor of  National Autism Awareness Month, the Atoms joined in their attempt to raise awareness by having Senior Brooke Mahoney throw out an opening ceremonial pitch to start the game.

The Atoms, who had already played the Spartans on March 21 and were defeated by a score of 12-2 and looked to improve as a team going into the a game against the Spartans for a second time.

In the first inning, the Atoms took the field with their pitcher, sophomore Jessica Salisbury, starting on the mound. The Atoms struggled early, giving up five runs by the end of the opening inning.

Heading into the second inning, the Atoms looked to get on the board. The Atoms again struggled with field plays and by the end of the second the Spartans expanded their lead over the Atoms with a score of 10-0.

In the fourth inning, the Atoms executed solid field plays by sophomore Megan Johnson and freshman Allauna Harrison, allowing them to shut down the Spartans with no runs for the inning. When hitting the Atoms were to be able to get on the board with two runs with the score at 12-2.

In the final inning, the Atoms continued to struggle in the field to make plays and the Spartans pulled ahead further ahead with 3 more runs ending the game with a final score of 15-2.

Despite the team struggling against the Spartans and an 0-14 record, the Atoms still look for this to be an opportunity to improve for the remaining games of the season.

“I feel like we have a lot of room to improve on how we work as a team on field and also how we think mentally during the game,” Salisbury said.

Mentality has played a large role in the outcome of the games.

“Every time I enter the batter’s box I try to be as confident as I can that I will be able be hit the ball no matter how good the opponents pitcher might be” Salisbury said.

With six more regular season games remaining, the Atoms look to improve and pick up a couple of victories.

Results were not available by the Atoms’ next game on April 24, against the Lake Braddock Bruins. Following this game the Atoms will take on the TC Williams Titans on April 25.