Softball is Back in the Win Column Defeating Dean on the Road

FRANKLIN, Mass. - The Elms College Softball team traveled to Dean College for a conference game on Tuesday afternoon.

BASICS
Score: Elms College 7 | Dean College 3
Records: Blazers 5-24, 1-10 (GNAC) | Bulldogs 5-14, 0-7 (GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Elms would start the game with the early advantage, with a lead off single by sophomore utility player Amanda Raymond (Auburn, Maine). Raymond would then steal second base and advance to third base following a single by senior outfielder Kyla Cook (Taunton, Mass.). Cook would steal second and Raymond would score the first run after senior infielder Katie Cosmos (Wolcott, Conn.) would reach base on an error. With the 1-0 lead, sophomore pitcher/outfielder Kaelyn Zakaitis (Amherst, Mass.) would take the ball. After only allowing one runner on, the Elms defense would hold off Dean to keep their lead going into the second inning. In the second, Zakaitis would record a single, but the Bulldogs would then take the lead scoring two runs in the bottom half of the inning. Then in the top of the third inning, sophomore infielder/pitcher Jill Dykema (Preston, Conn.) would hit a lead off double. Dykema would then score after a single by graduate student catcher Kelsey Bennett (Granby, Mass.) to tie the game 2-2. In the bottom of the third inning, Dean would add a run to take the lead, but the Blazers defense would record the third and final out. In the top of the fourth, Zakaitis would hit a double, followed by a one-run single by Dykema, and a one-run double by Cook to take a 4-3 lead. Defensively, Zakaitis would strike out a batter in the fourth inning. The two sides would continue to battle, then in the top of the sixth, Elms would see a single by Raymond and a walk from Dykema. Both runners would score after Cook would reach base on an error, followed by a one-run single by Cosmos to drive-in Cook. The Bulldogs would try to back, but with a second strikeout and a strong defensive showing by the Blazers, ELms would win the game 7-3 for their first conference victory of the season.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Bennett: one for four.

• Cook: two for four, with a double, a run scored, a run batted-in, and a stolen base.

• Cosmos: one for four, with a run batted-in.

• Dykema: two for three, with a double, three runs scored, a run batted-in, and a walk.

• Raymond: two for four, with two runs scored and two stolen bases.

• Zaikaits: would pitch seven innings with two strikeouts and five scoreless innings to earn the win, and would go two for four at the plate, with a double and a run scored.

UP NEXT: The Elms Softball team will host Johnson & Wales University on Wednesday, April 16th for a conference doubleheader at 3 & 5 pm at Cheryl R. Condon Field.

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