Dykema Reaches 100 Career Strikeouts in Conference Doubleheader Against Albertus Magnus

CHICOPEE, Mass. - The Elms College Softball team hosted Albertus Magnus College for a conference doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Cheryl R. Condon Field.

BASICS
Game 1
Score: Elms College 3 | Albertus Magnus College 20
Records: Blazers 0-18, 0-5 (GNAC) | Falcons 13-9, 7-0 (GNAC)

Game 2
Score: Elms College 1 | Albertus Magnus College 7
Records: Blazers 0-19, 0-6 (GNAC) | Falcons 14-9, 8-0 (GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1
Sophomore pitcher Reece Hebert (North Haven, Conn.) would start the first game for Elms. In the top of the first inning, the Albertus Magnus offense would set the tone early by scoring five runs. In the bottom half of the inning, first year outfielder Aniah Glover (West Haven, Conn.), junior pitcher/outfielder Kaelyn Zakaitis (Amherst, Mass.), and first year infielder Reagan Giguere (Sutton, Mass.) would all earn walks to load the bases, but the Blazers would not be able to score during the inning. The Falcons would add two runs in the second inning and eight runs in the third, before junior pitcher/utility player Caity Flynn (Colchester, Conn.) would relieve Hebert and strikeout the first batter she faced to end the inning. In the bottom of the third, junior infielder/pitcher Jill Dykema (Preston, Conn.) would earn a walk and steal second base, but the AMC defense would continue to hold Elms to a scoreless inning. Flynn would begin the fourth inning by striking out the leadoff batter looking and the Blazers defense would keep the Falcons from scoring during the inning. In the bottom half of the inning, Giguere and first year infielder Ashlyn Cullity (Wilmington, Mass.) would hit back-to-back singles. Shortly thereafter, sophomore infielder Nyah Colon (Springfield, Mass.) would hit a single to left field to bring Giguere across the plate, followed by Flynn reaching base on an error committed by the center fielder that would see Cullity score. In the fifth inning, Albertus Magnus would add five more runs to their lead, but the Elms offense would continue their attempts to create a late rally following a single to right field by Dykema, where she would then steal second base, and would score following a single by Zakaitis, who would advance to second after an error by the first baseman. Unfortunately, the Falcons would record the two final outs to defeat the Blazers 20-2 in the first game of the doubleheader.

Game 2
Zakaitis would step into the pitcher's circle for Elms in the second game of the doubleheader. Albertus Magnus would continue to keep the offensive momentum in their favor by scoring first in the top of the first inning. In the bottom half of the inning, junior utility player Amanda Raymond (Auburn, Maine) and Dykema would both earn walks, and both runners would advance a base on a wild pitch, but the Blazers would be unable to score in the inning. In the second inning, both teams would be held scoreless and the Elms would add walks to Hebert and Flynn. In the top of the third inning, the Falcons would score two more runs, then in the bottom half of the inning, Glover would earn a walk and would score after a double to left center field by first year catcher Lizzie Jamrog (Suffield, Conn.). In the fourth inning, AMC would score two more runs, Rossi would earn a walk and would advance to second base on a wild pitch, but the Blazers would not be able to score in the inning. In the top of the fifth inning, Dykema would relieve Zakaitis in the circle, where she would throw back-to-back strikeouts and the Elms defense would keep the Falcons scoreless in the inning. In the bottom of the fifth, the Blazers would see three different base runners, but no runs would be scored. In the top of the sixth inning, Albertus Magnus would score two runs, but Dykema would end the inning with a swinging strikeout, which would also be her 100th collegiate career strikeout. In the bottom of the sixth and seventh innings, Jamrog, Rossi, and Glover would all earn walks, Raymond would hit a single to left center field, and Dykema would reach base on a fielder's choice, but Elms would not be able to score and the Falcons would secure the sweep with a 7-1 defeat of the Blazers.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Dykema: a hit, a run scored, two stolen bases, and two walks at the plate, would pitch three innings with three strikeouts, and would record her 100th career strikeout.

• Zakaitis: a walk, a run batted-in, and a walk at the plate, and would pitch four innings with a strikeout.

• Flynn: a run batted-in and a walk at the plate, and would pitch two and ⅓ innings with two strikeouts.

• Hebert: a walk at the plate and would pitch two and ⅔ innings.

• Jamrog: a hit, with a double, a run batted-in, and a walk.

• Giguere: a hit, a run scored, and a walk.

• Raymond: a hit and two walks.

• Glover: three walks and a run scored.

• Cullity: a hit and a run scored.

• Colon: a hit and a run batted-in.

• Rossi: two walks.

UP NEXT: The Elms Softball team will travel to West Hartford, Conn. for a conference doubleheader at the University of Saint Joseph, Conn. on Wednesday, April 8th at 3 & 5 pm at Cheryl R. Condon Field.

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