Softball Loses on the Road at New England College

HENNIKER, N.H. - The Elms College Softball team traveled to New England College for a conference doubleheader on Saturday afternoon.

BASICS
Game 1
Score: Elms College 1 | New England College 9
Records: Blazers 0-22, 0-9 (GNAC) | Pilgrims 8-15, 5-6 (GNAC)

Game 2
Score: Elms College 0 | New England College 8
Records: Blazers 0-23, 0-10 (GNAC) | Pilgrims 9-15, 6-6 (GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1
In the top of the first inning, junior utility player Amanda Raymond (Auburn, Maine) would hit a single to left field to start the game, followed by a walk to infielder/pitcher Jill Dykema (Preston, Conn.), but the Blazers would not be able to score in the inning. Sophomore pitcher Reece Hebert (North Haven, Conn.) would start for Elms in the pitcher's circle for the opening game of the conference doubleheader. Unfortunately, New England College would score two runs in the inning. In the top of the second inning, junior utility player Caity Flynn (Colchester, Conn.) would hit a single and advance to second base on an error committed by the left fielder, but the Blazers would be held scoreless again. In the bottom of the second, the Pilgrims would score three more runs before junior pitcher/outfielder Kaelyn Zakaitis (Amherst, Mass.) would relieve Hebert, but NEC would add one run before the end of the inning. The third inning would see both conference teams be held to scoreless innings. In the fourth inning, Zakaitis would hit a single to left field and throw a swinging strikeout, but the Pilgrims would score two runs in the inning. In the fifth inning, first year catcher/utility player Jordyn Rossi (West Springfield, Mass.) and sophomore utility player Nyah Colon (Springfield, Mass.) would hit back-to-back singles to right field, followed by a walk to first year outfielder Aniah Glover (West Haven, Conn.) earned a walk. Rossi would score moments later when Raymond would reach base on a fielder's choice. Unfortunately, in the bottom half of the inning, New England College would score a run to take the first game 9-1.

Game 2
Raymond would start the game with another single to right center field, followed by a double by Dykema to right center field. Flynn would take the ball in the second game of the conference doubleheader. In the bottom half of the inning, the Pilgrims would score four runs to take the early lead. Elms would be held scoreless in the second inning, but in the bottom half of the inning, Flynn would strikeout a batter swinging and NEC would add a run. In the third inning, the Blazers would be held to another scoreless inning and Dykema would relieve Hebert in the pitcher's circle, but NEC would add three more runs in the inning. In the fifth inning, Zakaitis would hit a double to right field and first year catcher/utility player Lizzie Jamrog (Suffield, Conn.) would be hit by a pitch, but both team's defenses would hold the other scoreless in the inning. Unfortunately, the Pilgrims would record the final three outs to end the game, 8-0.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Raymond: two hits and a run batted-in.

• Dykema: a hit, with a double, and a walk at the plate, and would pitch two innings.

• Zakaitis: two hits, with a double, at the plate, and would pitch three innings with a strikeout.

• Hebert: would pitch one and ⅔ innings.

• Flynn: a hit at the plate, and would pitch two innings with a strikeout.

• Rossi: a hit and a run scored.

• Glover: a walk.

UP NEXT: The Elms Softball team will host Lasell University in a conference doubleheader on Sunday, April 12th at 12 & 2 pm at Cheryl R. Condon Field.

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