Early Season Woes Continue for Softball Against MCLA

CHICOPEE, Mass. - The Elms College Softball team hosted Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts for a non-conference doubleheader on Thursday afternoon at Cheryl R. Condon Field.

BASICS
Game 1
Score: Elms College 4 | Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 13
Records: Blazers 0-16, 0-4 (GNAC) | Trailblazers 8-7, 0-0 (MASCAC)

Game 2
Score: Elms College 3 | Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 17
Records: Blazers 0-17, 0-4 (GNAC) | Trailblazers 9-7, 0-0 (MASCAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1
Junior infielder/pitcher Jill Dykema (Preston, Conn.) would begin the game for Elms in the pitcher's circle, but MCLA would score four runs to begin the game. In the bottom of the first inning, junior utility player Amanda Raymond (Auburn, Maine) would leadoff with a walk, steal second base, and would advance to third base on a wild pitch. Shortly thereafter, first year outfielder Aniah Glover (West Haven, Conn.) would earn a walk, which would lead to Raymond scoring on a sacrifice fly to center field by Dykema. In the top of the second inning, junior pitcher/utility player Caity Flynn (Colchester, Conn.) would relieve Dykema on the pitching rubber, but the Trailblazers would extend their lead by six runs. In the third inning, MCLAC would score a run, but the Blazers offense would try to create some momentum, with Raymond and Flynn would hit back-to-back singles, then Dykema would hit a single up the middle and Raymond would score. In the fourth inning, the Trailblazers would add a run to their lead, but the Elms offense would continue to keep their efforts high, where first year infielders Reagan Giguere (Sutton, Mass.) and Ashlyn Cullity (Wilmington, Conn.) would both earn walks, followed by a single to left field by first year catcher/utility player Jordyn Rossi (West Springfield, Mass.) to load the bases for Flynn, who would be hit by a pitch to bring Giguere across the plate for a run. In the fifth inning, Dykema would earn a walk, and junior pitcher/outfielder Kaelyn Zakaitis (Amherst, Mass.) would hit a single up the middle. Then, Giguere would hit a single up the middle to drive-in Dykema, but MCLA would win the opening game 13-4.

Game 2
Sophomore pitcher Reece Hebert (North Haven, Conn.) would start the second game of the non-conference doubleheader for the Blazers. In the first inning, the Trailblazers would score first, but Raymond would earn a walk and would later score on a wild pitch. In the top of the second inning, Hebert would throw two swinging strikeouts, but MCLA would score eight runs to expand their lead, 9-1. In the bottom half of the inning, Giguere and Cullity, followed by a single from Raymond, but Elms would not be able to score in the inning. The Trailblazers would score a run in the third inning and the Blazers would be unable to score. In the fourth inning, Zakaitis would relieve Hebert in the pitcher's circle, but MCLA would score four runs. In the bottom half of the inning, Cullity and Rossi both earned walks, and Cullity would score shortly thereafter when Raymond would hit a single past second base. Then in the fifth inning, Glover would earn a walk, followed by a single past the shortstop by Dykema, who would then steal second base. Then Guiguere would drive in Glover for a run, but the game would end on the same play and the Trailblazers would win 17-3 to sweep Elms.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Raymond: three hits, three runs scored, a run batted-in, a walk, and a stolen base.

• Flynn: a hit and a run batted-in at the plate, would pitch four innings.

• Glover: a run scored and two walks.

• Dykema: three hits, a run scored, two runs batted-in, a walk at the plate, and a stolen base, and would pitch an inning.

• Zakaitis: a hit at the plate, and would pitch two innings.

• Giguere: a hit, a run scored, two runs batted-in, and a walk.

• Cullity: a run scored and three walks.

• Rossi: a hit and a walk.

• Hebert: would pitch three innings, with two strikeouts.

UP NEXT: The Elms Softball team will host Albertus Magnus College in a conference doubleheader on Saturday, April 4th at 12 & 2 pm at Cheryl R. Condon Field.

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