Softball Loses Tough Non-Conference Battle to Fitchburg State

CHICOPEE, Mass. - The Elms College Softball team hosted Fitchburg State University for a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon at Cheryl R. Condon Field.

BASICS
Game 1
Score: Elms College 3 | Fitchburg State University 6
Records: Blazers 0-14, 0-3 (GNAC) | Falcons 2-13, 0-2 (MASCAC)

Game 2
Score: Elms College 0 | Fitchburg State University 6
Records: Blazers 0-15, 0-4 (GNAC) | Falcons 3-13, 0-2 (MASCAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1
Junior infielder/pitcher Jill Dykema (Preston, Conn.) would start for Elms in the pitcher's circle in the first game of the non-conference doubleheader. In the first inning, both teams would be held scoreless, with junior utility player Amanda Raymond (Auburn, Maine) earning a walk. In the top of the second inning, Fitchburg State would score two runs to take an early lead, but Dykema would end the inning by striking out a batter looking. In the bottom half of the inning, first year infielder Ashlyn Cullity (Wilmington, Mass.) and first year infielder Reagan Giguere (Sutton, Mass.) both reach base, but Elms would not be able to score during the inning. In the third inning, the Falcons would add a third run in the top of the inning, and sophomore  Nyah Colon (Springfield, Mass.) would hit a single to left field. In the fourth inning, the Blazers bats would come to life, beginning with first year catcher/utility player Jordyn Rossi (West Springfield, Mass.) reaching base on an error by the first baseman and Dykema hitting a single to center field. Then both runners would when junior pitcher/outfielder Kaelyn Zakaitis (Amherst, Mass.) would reach base on a second error committed by the first baseman. First year outfielder Aniah Glover (West Haven, Conn.) would bunt a single and Giguere would reach base on an error to load the bases. Then Colon would hit a sacrifice fly that would score Zakaitis to tie the game, 3-3. Both teams would be scoreless in the fifth inning, seeing a swinging strikeout by Dykema and Raymond hitting a single down the left field line. In the top of the sixth inning, Dykema would add another swinging strikeout, but FSU would add a run, which would then see junior pitcher/utility player Caity Flynn (Colchester, Conn.) come into the game to relieve Dykema. Unfortunately, the Falcons would score two more runs before the end of the inning, extending their lead to 6-3. In the seventh inning, sophomore pitcher Reece Hebert (North Haven, Conn.) would relieve Flynn in the circle, but Fitchburg State would win the opening game, 6-3.

Game 2
Zakaitis would be the starting pitcher for Elms in the second game of the afternoon. The Falcons would score two runs in the top of the first inning, but Zakaitis would end the inning with a positive note by striking out the final batter swinging. In the bottom half of the inning, Dykema would hit a double to center field, but the Blazers would not be able to score during the inning. Both teams would hold each other scoreless in the second, third, and fourth innings. During that stretch of time, Zakaitis would add another swinging strikeout, Rossi would hit a single to right field, and Flynn would hit a double to center field. Then in the fifth inning, FSU would add a run to their lead and Elms would have Hebert return to pitch. Raymond would hit a single past the shortstop, but the Blazers would once again be held to a scoreless inning. The Falcons would score three more runs in the sixth and seventh innings, but Hebert would record three strikeouts and Raymond would hit a single up the middle. Unfortunately, Fitchburg State would defeat Elms 6-0 to secure the sweep of the day.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Dykema; two hits, with two doubles, and a run scored at the plate and would pitch five and ⅓ innings with three strikeouts.

• Zakaitis: a run scored and two runs batted-in at the plate and would pitch four and ⅔ innings with two strikeouts.

• Hebert: a walk at the plate and would pitch three and ⅓ innings with three strikeouts.

• Flynn: a hit, with a double, at the plate and would pitch ⅔ innings.

• Raymond: three hits and a walk.

• Colon: a hit and a run batted-in.

• Rossi: a hit and a walk.

• Rossi: a run scored.

• Cullity: a walk.

• Giguere: a walk.

UP NEXT: The Elms Softball team will host Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in a non-conference doubleheader on Thursday, April 2nd at 3 & 5 pm at Cheryl R. Condon Field.

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