Mitchell Splits with Bay Path in NECC Softball Action
LONGMEADOW, Mass.- The Wildcats of Bay Path were able to take game one 4-3 against the Mariners of Mitchell College, and later fell 10-3 in the nightcap of New England Collegiate Conference doubleheader softball action today at Ryan Field.
In game one, Bay Path struck early scoring two runs in the bottom of the first. Lead-off batter junior Sarah Gates (Crown Point, Ind.) jumped out early nailing a double to left center. Next up to bat senior Sarah Wright (Canterbury, N.H.) reached on an error by Mitchell's freshman first baseman Marissa Thomas (New London, Conn.). Freshman Maeghan Whitcomb (Lyndon, Vt.) plated both Gates and Wright on a double shot to left field.
With the score 2-0 for the next four innings, Mitchell answered back in the top of the fifth with freshman Stacey Suplicki (New London, Conn.) hammered her first homerun over the centerfield fence.
Nizinski put the Wildcats ahead in the bottom of the fifth scoring after reaching on another double shot down the left line. Wright brought her home after an incredibly placed bunt that resulted in a single and an RBI.
The Mariner's finished off their scoring in a big way shellacking two more home runs from junior catcher Sara Krolikowski (Bristol, Conn.) and Suplicki nabbing her second of the game.
The Wildcats were able to answer their call and pull-off the game winner in the bottom of the sixth. Freshman catcher Kellie Lastowski (Turners Falls, Mass.) was placed on first after a hit by pitch, fellow freshman Vanessa Chaplin (Attleboro, Mass.) took over as a pinch runner. Chaplin stole second base, to gain the advantage on the bases. Nizinski would plate her after a nice hit up the middle.
Junior hurler Kristal Cormier (Rochester, N.H.), who is now 7-6, was awarded the win giving up three runs on four hits while fanning three for her 7.0 innings pitched. Freshman pitcher Kristina Torres (Groton, Conn.), falls to 4-8 on the season, suffered the loss allowing four runs on nine hits striking out ten.
In the nightcap, Mitchell was able to take advantage of Bay Path's poor defensive efforts and multiple errors in the top of the fifth to grab eight runs securing a victory.
Again, Bay Path jumped ahead 2-0 after the first two innings. Gates scored the first with senior, NECC Player of the Week, Sarah Palmer (Topsham, Maine) nabbing the RBI. Begin scored the next run, unearned after reaching on a fielding error by Suplicki. Nizinski, again, nailed one to left-field to pick up another RBI.
Unfortunately for the Wildcats they were unable to score again until the seventh. Mitchell grabbed their first run in the fourth after a walk fest by Nizinski. Junior Mariner Michelle Anderson (Scotland, Conn.) was given a free trip to home plate after reaching on a single.
The fifth inning was a break-down of Bay Path's defense where Mitchell scored eight runs three earned and five unearned.
Mitchell added one more run in the seventh with some great base running by senior Lindsey Donelin (Niantic, Conn.) after slamming a single shot to center field. Donelin took advantage of a passed ball and throw down to second to plate her final run.
Bay Path tried for a final rally only managing one unearned run from Wright. Gates finished going 3-fo-r4 with one run while both Wright and Nizinski went 2-for-3.
Donelin led her team in game two going 3-for-4 adding one run and one RBI. Teammate's senior designated player Liz Roy (Jewett City, Conn.), freshman infielder Nikki Hoxie (Winsted, Conn.) and Krolikowski each added multiple hits. Roy added two runs and three RBI.
Thomas, 4-6, picked up the win allowing ten hits on three runs for seven innings. Nizinski, 8-6, suffered the loss giving up 12 hits on ten runs only six earned while walking five for her seven innings hurled.
Bay Path is now 15-12 overall and 7-1 in the NECC, while Mitchell is 9-14-1 on the season and 6-3-1 in conference play. Bay Path will be on the road facing Elms on Saturday the 18th at a noon start time. Mitchell will be back in action travelling to Southern Vermont for more NECC action on Saturday as well with a 1:00 scheduled first pitch.
