Softball Loses a Tough Battle to Bay Path

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

BASICS
Game 1
Score: Elms College 1 | Bay Path University 15
Records: Blazers 0-10, 0-2 (GNAC) | Wildcats 4-9, 0-0 (USCAA)

Game 2
Score: Elms College 4 | Bay Path University 11
Records: Blazers 0-11, 0-2 (GNAC) | Wildcats 5-9, 0-0 (USCAA)

HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1
Sophomore pitcher Reece Hebert (North Haven, Conn.) would take the ball for Elms in the first game of the afternoon. In the top of the first inning, Bay Path would score three runs to earn a quick lead. In the bottom half of the inning, junior utility player Amanda Raymond (Auburn, Maine) would earn a walk and junior pitcher/utility player Caity Flynn (Colchester, Conn.) would reach base on an error committed by the third baseman, but the Blazers would be unable to capitalize and score during the inning. In the second inning, Hebert would strikeout the leadoff batter, which would lead to a shut out inning to both teams. In the top of the third, the Wildcats would add a run, but the Elms' defense would continue to hold strong and see first year catcher/utility player Jordyn Rossi (West Springfield, Mass.) thrown down to junior infielder/pitcher Jill Dykema (Preston, Conn.) to catch the base runner from stealing second base. In the bottom of the third, Flynn would hit a single up the middle, but the Blazers would not be able to score. In the fourth inning, both teams would be unable to score. In the top of the fifth inning, junior pitcher/outfielder Kaelyn Zakaitis (Amherst, Mass.) would relieve Hebert. During the inning, Bay Path would add two more runs to their lead. Then in the bottom of the fifth, Hebert would hit a single up the middle and would advance to second on an error by the catcher, but the Wildcats would be able to stop the Elms offense from scoring. In the top of the sixth inning, the Bay Path offense would tally eight more runs to their lead. Then in the bottom half of the inning, Flynn would leadoff with a single past the second baseman, followed by a walk to first year outfielder Aniah Glover (West Haven, Conn.). Moments later, Zakaitis would hit a triple down the right field line to drive in Flynn for the Blazers first run. Unfortunately, the Wildcats would defeat Elms 15-1 in the first game of the afternoon.

Game 2
Dykema would start the second game in the pitching circle for the Blazers, where in the top of the first inning, Bay Path would score two early runs, but Dykema would record three strikeouts. In the bottom half of the inning, Raymond would hit a leadoff double to right center field and would later be driven in by Glover, when she would reach base on an error committed by the pitcher, to make the score 2-1, Wildcats. In the top of the Elms' defense would hold the Bay Path offense to a scoreless inning, including a fourth strikeout by Dykema. In the bottom of the second, first year infielder Ashlyn Cullity (Wilmington, Mass.) would earn a walk and steal second base, followed by a single and stolen base by Hebert. Shortly thereafter, Raymond would hit a second double to center field that would see both Cullity and Hebert to give the Blazers a 3-2 lead. In the top of the third inning, the Wildcats would retake the lead by adding three runs. The two intrastate teams would go scoreless in their next offensive attempts, then in the bottom of the fourth inning, sophomore infielder Nyah Colon (Springfield, Mass.) would be hit by a pitch to start the inning, followed by a Hebert-double to left field and a single by Raymond to right field. Then moments later Raymond and Hebert would successfully make a double steal to bring the score to within a run. In the top of the fifth inning, the Bay Path offense would add two runs quickly to start the inning, which would then see Flynn relieve Dykema in the pitcher's circle. Neither team would be able to score the remainder of the inning or in the sixth. In the top of the seventh inning, the Wildcats would be able to add four runs to their lead. Then in the bottom of the seventh, the Elms offense would try to rally some runs late, following a single by Hebert and Raymond reaching base on a fielder's choice, but Bay Path would defeat the Blazers 11-4 in the second game of the non-conference doubleheader.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

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

• Flynn: two hits, a run scored, and a walk at the plate, and would pitch two and ⅔ innings with a strikeout.

• Glover: a run batted-in, a walk

• Dykema: would pitch four and ⅓ innings, with four strikeouts.

• Zakaitis: a hit, with a triple, a run batted-in at the plate, and would pitch two innings.

• Rossi: a hit, with a double.

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

• Hebert: four hits, with a double, two runs scored, and two stolen bases at the plate, and would pitch four innings with a strikeout.

UP NEXT: The Elms Softball team will host Vermont State University-Johnson in a non-conference doubleheader on Saturday, March 28th at 12 & 2 pm at Cheryl R. Condon Field.

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