Senators Ladies Leave No Doubt
This past Sunday, the Ladies of the Düsseldorf Senators faced the Jülich Duchess for the second time within just a few weeks. The previous matchups had already been intense and high-level – so anticipation for the rematch was high. And the expectations were met: a large crowd witnessed two fast-paced softball games full of excitement, effort, and joy. In the end, the Senators came away with two well-earned wins: 9:5 and 9:3.
Despite their earlier victories, the Senators approached the games with full focus. “Jülich is a great team, very strong at the plate,” said Head Coach Frank Mohr. “We expected good pitching on both sides – it was softball on equal footing.”
The coaching staff had rightly warned of the Duchess’ offensive power beforehand, and once again, the guests made it anything but easy for the home team.
What made the difference in the end was reliable pitching and smart decision-making in key moments. Starting pitcher Katja once again delivered a strong performance, throwing her fourth complete game of the season – a showing that played a crucial role in securing the first win.
“We have complete trust in Katja. Week after week, she proves what she’s capable of when everything around her is just right,” said Mohr.
The fact that it became exciting again in the fifth inning at 9:2 was not due to Katja, but to a few mistakes in defense. Katja closed the game herself with a rare unassisted double play, a strong statement to end the match.
After a 30-minute break, game two began.
With 16 players available, the Senators benefited from a deep and flexible roster, allowing the coaching staff to make situational changes without sacrificing quality. Every player contributed – on defense, as base coaches, or providing energy from the dugout.
Karen and Olivia took over pitching duties to start game two and set the tone defensively, allowing only three runs between them. In the third inning, Lina Schwippert, a U22 national team pitcher, entered the circle with a 7:3 lead. She didn’t allow another run and gave up only one base hit.
“Her talent is undeniable. Having Lina on our team is hugely valuable for both our development and the visibility of the sport in Düsseldorf,” said Mohr.
“We wanted to give her the opportunity to shine – and with seven strikeouts, I think she did just that.”
Mohr continued:
“Whenever we talk about pitchers, we must never forget the catchers – without them, even the best pitching means nothing. A big thank you goes to Dana, who gave all our pitchers confidence and brought calm and stability to our defense.”
Offensively, the Senators were just as committed: plate discipline, well-placed hits, and aggressive baserunning kept the pressure on in both games. In key moments, the team stayed composed and took advantage of defensive mistakes from the Duchess.
“We were able to use everything that makes softball such a special game,” the coaches summed up. “Aggressive plays, situational hitting, and a united team performance – this was softball in all its depth.”
Despite the two losses, the Senators showed great respect for their opponents: “Jülich is a great, committed team that plays with a lot of heart,” added Mohr. “We’re already looking forward to the rematch in Jülich – those will be two exciting games again.”
The Senators continue to prove that dedication to growth and development is the true foundation of athletic success.
