Softball Outshined by Lasell in Conference Doubleheader

AUBURNDALE, Mass. - The Elms College Softball team traveled to Lasell University for a conference doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon.

BASICS
Game 1
Score: Elms College 2 | Lasell University 4
Records: Blazers 4-17, 0-3 (GNAC) | Lasers 4-11, 3-0 (GNAC)

Game 2
Score: Elms College 2 | Lasell University 9
Records: Blazers 4-18, 0-4 (GNAC) | Lasers 5-11, 4-0 (GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1
The Elms offense would record back-to-back singles by sophomore infielders Amanda Raymond (Auburn, Maine) and Jill Dykema (Preston, Conn.) to start the first game, but the Lasell defense would stop the Blazers from scoring first. First year pitcher Reece Hebert (North Haven, Conn.) would pitch for Elms in Game 1, tossing five and ⅔ innings. The Lasers would be the first to score after a double to drive in the first run in the bottom of the first inning. Both defense would hold the other scoreless for the next inning, until the top of the third inning when graduate student catcher Kelsey Bennett (Granby, Mass.) would hit a single to left field to drive in sophomore pitcher/outfielder Kaelyn Zakaitis (Amherst, Mass.), who started the inning with a leadoff single to right field. In the fourth inning, the Blazers would see a single to left field by senior infielder Danajah Stokes (Savannah, Ga.), but Lasell would take the lead following a one-run single in the bottom half of the inning. Then in the top of the fifth, after a leadoff double by Raymond, Bennett would reach base on an error to drive in Raymond to tie the game momentarily 2-2. But in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Lasers would capitalize on a passed ball to score the leading run, which would then see Zakaitis come in to relieve Hebert and would pitch the final out. Lasell would score once more in the sixth, then in the top of the seventh inning, the Elms offense would try to rally back following singles by Raymond and senior outfielder Kyla Cook (Taunton, Mass.), but the Lasers would record the final out to take the first game 4-2.

Game 2
The second game would see Zakaitis again in the circle, pitching an additional three innings with two strikeouts. In the first inning, Cook would hit a single to center field, but Lasell would be the first to score, adding three runs in the bottom of the first inning. In the top of the second, the Blazers would load the bases after three-straight hits by senior outfielder Sarah Fortini (Florida, Mass.), with a leadoff double, Stokes, and first year utility player Sydney Barthel (Windsor Locks, Conn.). Then Stokes would score after an error during the next at-bat. In the bottom half of the inning, the Lasers would add a run to their score. But the Elms offense would continue their fight in the top of the third inning, as Dykema would hit a single to right and would score after Cook would ground out. Lasell would add another run in the bottom of third. In that same half inning, Dykema would come into the game to relieve Zakaitis, where she would pitch three innings with a strikeout. The Blazers would continue their efforts, with a double and a single by Fortini, along with a single by Barthel, but the Lasers would score an additional four runs to secure the 9-2 victory and the sweep.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Barthel: two for six.

• Bennett: one for six, with a run batted-in.

• Cook: two for six, with a run batted-in.

• Fortini: three for six, with two doubles.

• Dykema: two for seven with a run scored at the plate, and would pitch three innings with a strikeout.

• Hebert: would pitch five and ⅔ innings and would go 0 for three at the plate.

• Raymond: three for seven, with a double, a run scored, and a walk.

• Stokes: two for six, with a run scored.

• Zakaitis: would pitch a combined three and ⅓ innings with two strikeouts, and would go one for four with a run scored.

UP NEXT: The Elms Softball team will travel to West Hartford, Conn. to face off against the University of Saint Joseph, Conn. for a conference doubleheader on Friday, April 4th at 3 & 5 pm.

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