Softball Hosts Colby-Sawyer in Annual Strikeout Cancer Game

CHICOPEE, Mass. - The Elms College Softball team hosted Colby-Sawyer 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 2 | Colby-Sawyer College 3
Records: Blazers 3-27, 1-14 (GNAC) | Chargers 3-18, 3-13 (GNAC)

Game 2
Score: Elms College 1 | Colby-Sawyer College 5
Records: Blazers 3-28, 1-15 (GNAC) | Chargers 4-18, 4-13 (GNAC)

PRIOR TO THE GAME

The Elms College Softball team hosted their annual Strikeout Cancer Game, where they honored Diane Hartmann, a dedicated former staff member at Elms College, who spent 19 years supporting the campus community behind the scenes, Jen Lingenberg, a proud Elms College Alumna who has carried the values of her alma mater into her life and her advocacy for this cause, and assistant coach Jess Lingenberg in the ceremonial first pitch. In 2019, Justin Lingenberg, brother of Coach Jess, son of Jen, and grandson of Diane, passed away from pediatric brain cancer. Since then, this family has created a memorial fund in honor of Justin to help children and families through the financial struggles that result from having a child with a cancer diagnosis. This family represents a truly incredible legacy tied to Elms College and they are passionate about raising awareness for childhood cancer.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1
Sophomore pitcher Reece Hebert (North Haven, Conn.) would step into the pitcher's circle for Elms in the first game, where she would record two strikeouts, but Colby-Sawyer would score two runs to take an early lead in the first inning. In the bottom of the first inning, junior utility player Amanda Raymond (Auburn, Maine) and junior infielder/pitcher Jill Dykema (Preston, Conn.) would hit singles to left field and first year utility player Cheyann Goddard (Pittsfield, Mass.) would earn a walk, but the Blazers offense would be unable to score in the inning. The two conference foes would hold each other scoreless in the second inning, until the Chargers would score on a home run in the top of the third inning. The fourth and fifth innings would continue to see the opposing teams continue to hold each other scoreless, with Dykema and first year infielder Ashlyn Cullity (Willmington, Mass.) reaching base on a fielding error by the right and left fielders. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Dykema would hit a double to left field and would advance to third base when first year catcher/utility player Lizzie Jamrog (Suffield, Conn.) hit a single to left field and would advance to second base on a fielding error by the left fielder. In the seventh inning, Hebert would end the top half of the inning by striking out the final batter, followed by a lead off triple to right center by junior pitcher/utility player Caity Flynn (Colchester, Conn.). Moments later, Cullity would make a bunt for a single and would then steal second base and then on a failed pickoff attempt at third base, Flynn would score the first run for Elms. Then with a 1-2 count, Raymond would hit a two out triple to right field to drive in Cullity to bring the Blazers to within a run of tying the game. Unfortunately, the Colby-Sawyer defense would record the final out to take the opening game 3-2 over Elms.

Game 2
Sophomore pitcher/outfielder Kaelyn Zakaitis (Amherst, Mass.) would take the ball for the Blazers in the second game of the afternoon, where she would record a swinging strikeout in a 1-2-3 inning for Elms in the top of the first inning. In the bottom half of the inning, Dykema would hit a single past the shortstop and would steal second base. Unfortunately, the Blazers would not be able to score in the inning. The second inning would see the Chargers be held scoreless, as Zakaitits would hit a lead off triple to left center. Moments later, first year catcher/utility player Jordyn Rossi (West Springfield, Mass.) would reach base on a dropped third strike, and sophomore infielder Nyah Colon (Springfield, Mass.) would drive in Zakaitis for the opening run when she reached base on an error by the third baseman. In the top of the third inning, Zakaitis would add two more strikeouts, but the Colby-Sawyer offense would score four runs in the inning. In the bottom half of the inning, Jamrog would hit a single and would advance to second base on a throwing error by the third baseman, followed by Zakaitis reaching base on another error committed by the third baseman, but the Elms offense would not be able to score in the inning. In the fourth inning, the Chargers would score a run before Flynn would relieve Zakaitis in the pitcher's circle, and Colon would reach base on a fielding error committed by the shortstop, but the Blazers would once again be handed a scoreless inning. In the fifth inning, Flynn would record a swinging strikeout, followed by two singles by Goddard and Zakaitis. In the sixth inning, Flynn would add another swinging strikeout, and the Elms offense would see singles from Rossi and first year infielder Reagan Giguere (Sutton, Mass.), but the Colby-Sawyer defense would continue to hold strong. Flynn would end the top of the seventh inning with a third swinging strikeout, but the Chargers would defeat the Blazers 5-1 to secure the two-game sweep.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Raymond: two hits, with a triple, and a run batted-in.

• Goddard: a hit and a walk.

• Dykema: three hits, with a double, and a stolen base.

• Jamrog: two hits.

• Flynn: a hit, with a triple, and a run scored at the plate, and would pitch three and ⅓ innings with three strikeouts.

• Cullity: a hit, a run scored, and a stolen base.

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

• Zakaitis: two hits, with a triple, and a walk at the plate, would pitch three and ⅔ innings with three strikeouts.

• Rossi: a hit.

• Colon: a run batted-in.

• Giguere: a hit.

UP NEXT: The Elms Softball team will conclude the 2026 season on the road in Franklin, Mass. at Dean College in a conference doubleheader at 12 & 2 pm.

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