Athlete Of The Week: Mikaela Venuti

BOURNE – As much as Mikaela Venuti enjoys playing in the field and stepping into the batter’s box, she really comes into her own on the basepath.

The senior second baseman from Osterville’s running was on full display during Friday’s 9-8 loss to Mayflower League rival Upper Cape Tech, as she stole two bases and scored twice after reaching base safely three times.

“That’s definitely my favorite part of the game — baserunning,” said Venuti. “I love defense and I love hitting, but definitely when I get on base, that’s my favorite part.”

Venuti played a key role in Cape Tech’s narrow defeat. In addition to immersing herself into the game once she reached base, the senior brought home the Crusaders’ first run of the game when she plated sophomore Mia Gonsalves with an RBI single to center in the third inning.

Although Friday’s loss stung, Venuti said the Crusaders have already experienced more success than last season. The key going forward, she believes, will be whether the team can start to buckle down and secure the leads it has been able to build early in games.

“I think we’re doing better than we did last year,” she said. “What [hurts] us is we're up for the first few innings and then something hits us and we go down. I think that’s what our biggest issue has been.”