Softball Loses on the Road at USJ

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The Elms College Softball team traveled to the University of Saint Joseph, Conn. for a conference doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon.

BASICS
Game 1
Score: Elms College 0 | University of Saint Joseph, Conn. 10
Records: Blazers 0-20, 0-7 (GNAC) | Blue Jays 15-10, 6-1 (GNAC)

Game 2
Score: Elms College 1 | University of Saint Joseph, Conn. 9
Records: Blazers 0-21, 0-8 (GNAC) | Blue Jays 16-10, 7-1 (GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1
In the top of the first inning, the Elms offense would not be able to score, but first year utility player Cheyann Goddard (Pittsfield, Mass.) would earn a walk. Junior infielder/pitcher Jill Dykema (Preston, Conn.) would start the first game for Elms in the pitcher's circle, where she would record two swinging strikeouts in the bottom half of the first inning. Unfortunately, during the same inning, Saint Joseph would score six runs in the inning. In the second inning, Dykema would toss two more swinging strikeouts, but the Blue Jays would add two more runs. In the top of the third, first year catcher/utility player Jordyn Rossi (West Springfield, Mass.), Goddard, and Dykema would each earn a walk, and Dykema would add her fifth swinging strikeout. However, USJ would score another run to extend their lead. In the top of the fourth inning, junior pitcher/infielder Caity Flynn (Colchester, Conn.) would reach base on an error committed by the pitcher and Rossi would hit a single through the left side. Then in the bottom half of the inning, junior pitcher/outfielder Kaelyn Zakaitis (Amherst, Mass.) would relieve Dykema, where she would strike out the second batter she faced looking, but the Blue Jays offense would score one last run to their lead. In the fifth inning, junior utility player Amanda Raymond (Auburn, Maine) and first year catcher utility player Lizzie Jamrog (Suffield, Conn.) would both hit singles, but Saint Joseph would prevent Elms from scoring during the inning and defeat the Blazers, 10-0.

Game 2
In the top of the first inning, Raymond would earn a walk, steal second base, and would advance to third base on a wild pitch, followed by Goddard earning a walk and would steal second. Moments later, Dykema would drive in Raymond for the first run of the game for Elms. Jamrog would be walked, but the inning would end in a double play. Sophomore pitcher Reece Hebert (North Haven, Conn.) would pitch for the Blazers in the second game of the doubleheader. Unfortunately, in the bottom half of the first inning, the Blue Jays would continue the offensive momentum by scoring three runs. In the second inning, first year outfielder Aniah Glover (West Haven, Conn.) would earn a walk and Hebert would record a strikeout for a scoreless inning. In the third inning, USJ would add two runs to their lead, to make the score 5-1. In the top of the fourth inning, Jamrog, Glover, and Rossi would all be walked to load the bases. However, the Blue Jays would record the three outs to end the inning. Flynn would relieve Hebert in the pitcher's circle and Saint Joseph would score two more runs in the bottom half of the inning. In the fifth inning, Raymond would be walked and Dykema would hit a single up the middle. Unfortunately, the Blue Jays would score two more runs to defeat the Blazers 9-1.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Raymond: a hit, a run scored, two walks, and a stolen base.

• Goddard: three walks and a stolen base.

• Dykema: a hit, a run batted-in, and a walk at the plate, and would pitch three innings with five strikeouts.

• Jamrog: a hit and two walks.

• Hebert: would pitch three innings with a strikeout.

• Zakaitis: would pitch an inning with a strikeout.

• Flynn: would pitch one and ⅔ innings.

• Rossi: a hit and two walks.

• Glover: two walks.

UP NEXT: The Elms Softball team will travel to Henniker, N.H. for a conference doubleheader at New England College on Saturday, April 11th at 12 & 2 pm.

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