Softball Falls to Geneva College, Northland College in Day One of Gene Cusic Classic

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Elms College softball team lost 12-1 to Geneva College in five innings, and suffered a 3-1 loss to Northland College in day one action of the Gene Cusic Classic in Fort Myers, Fla.

In Elms' opening loss to Geneva, junior centerfielder Leah Spring (South Hadley, Mass.) delivered an RBI single in the top of the fifth frame, plating senior shortstop Amanda Alvarado (Springfield, Mass.) who singled earlier in the inning.

Senior right-hander Courtney Hampton (Westfield, Mass.) pitched all four innings and suffered the loss. She struck out four in the game.

Geneva's Ashley Ritchey (Avella, Pa.) was 3 for 3 with a run scored and a run driven in, while Michelle Barr (Oxford, Pa.), Ashley Davis (New Middletown, Ohio) and Samantha Michetti (Follansbee, W.Va.) drove in two runs each.

Julie DiLonardo (New Kensington, Pa.) recorded five strikeouts and allowed zero hits in three innings of work to earn the win.

In the Blazers' 3-1 loss to Northland, sophomore first baseman Ally Witaszek (Feeding Hills, Mass.) was 2 for 3 at the dish while junior infielder Ali Bonavita (Agawam, Mass.) drove in freshman Katie Cruz (Shrewsbury, Mass.) who entered to pinch-run for sophomore third baseman Hayley Zisk (Baldwinville, Mass.) who walked to lead off the sixth inning.

Freshman pitcher Elizabeth Patient (Leicester, Mass.) made her first start in the circle and struck out two batters in the losing effort.

Elms returns to Cusic Classic action with a 9:00 a.m. game against North Park and an 11:00 a.m. tilt with Mount Mary College on Sunday, March 11.