Softball Hosts Annual Strikeout Cancer Game Against Emmanuel

CHICOPEE, Mass. - The Elms College Softball team hosted Emmanuel College for a conference doubleheader for their annual Strikeout Cancer Game on Saturday afternoon at Cheryl R. Condon Field.

BASICS
Game 1
Score: Elms College 5 | Emmanuel College 13
Records: Blazers 5-27, 1-13 (GNAC) | Saints 10-19, 8-1 (GNAC)

Game 2
Score: Elms College 0 | Emmanuel College 9
Records: Blazers 5-28, 1-14 (GNAC) | Saints 11-19, 9-1 (GNAC)

PRIOR TO THE GAME

The Elms College Softball team hosted their annual Strikeout Cancer Game. The Blazers and Saints were joined by Ann Barthel and Colleen Gagnon to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1
Sophomore pitcher/infielder Jill Dykema (Preston, Conn.) would start in the circle for Elms in Game 1, pitching five innings, with two strikeouts and two scoreless innings. Emmanuel would be the first on the scoreboard, scoring two runs in the first inning, followed by four runs in the second inning. Then in the bottom of third, sophomore outfielder/pitcher Kaelyn Zakaitis (Amherst, Mass.) would hit a lead off single and she would cross the plate after senior infielder Katie Cosmos (Wolcott, Conn.) would hit a single. Then Dykema would score after graduate student catcher Kelsey Bennett (Granby, Mass.) would earn a walk. Then in the bottom of the fourth inning, the Blazer would see back-to-back singles by Zakaitis and sophomore utility player Amanda Raymond (Auburn, Maine). They would both be driven in after Dykema would ground out and senior outfielder Kyla Cook (Taunton, Mass.) would reach base on an error, followed by a single by Cosmos, to bring the score to 6-4. Then in the top of the fifth, the Saints offense would score seven runs to extend their lead. In a last effort, Elms would see singles by first year infielder Nyah Colon (Springfield, Mass.) and Zakaitis, where Colon would score after a single by Raymond, but Emmanuel would record the third and final out to win the opening game 13-5.

Game 2
In Game 2, Zakaitis would take the ball for the Blazers, pitching five innings, with two scoreless innings. After a scoreless top half of the first inning, the Elms offense would see Dykema single, along with Cook and Cosmos reaching base, but they would be unable to score in their half of the inning. In the top of the second inning, after the leadoff batter would reach base, Zakaitis would retrieve a ground ball, toss the ball to Dykema at second base, then throw the ball over to Cosmos for a 1-6-3 double play. The Saints would then score two runs in the second inning to take the first lead, along with four runs in the fourth inning. The Blazers would continue their efforts to earn some runs, with the assistance of singles by Raymond, Dykema, Bennett, first year utility player Sydney Barthel (Windsor Locks, Conn.), and Zakaitis, but they would not be successful. Emmanuel would score an additional three runs in the fifth inning, and they would secure the second victory of the day over Elms, 9-0.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Barthel: one for two.

• Bennett: one for two, with a run batted-in and two walks.

• Colon: one for three, with a run scored.

• Cook: 0 for six, with a run batted-in and two walks.

• Cosmos: two for four, with a run batted-in and a walk, and would field a double play.

• Dykema: would pitch five innings, with two strikeouts, would go two for six, with a run batted-in, two stolen bases, and a walk, and would field a double play.

• Raymond: three for five, with two runs scored, a run batted-in, a stolen base, and two walks.

• Zakaitis: four for five, with two runs scored and a stolen base, would pitch five innings, and would field a double play.

UP NEXT: The Elms Softball team will travel to Franklin, Mass. to face Dean College on Monday, April 21st for a conference game at 1 pm.

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