Softball Falls to Nazareth College, 7-1

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Elms College softball team fell to Nazareth College, 7-1 in game two of Tuesday's double-header action at the Gene Cusic Classic in Fort Myers, Fla.

With the loss, Elms moves to 1-5 on the season.

After two scoreless frames to start the game, Elms opened the scoring in the contest with a run in the top of the third frame. Senior left fielder Kellie McLaughlin (Pittsfield, Mass.) walked, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by junior pitcher Jessica Colson (Agawam, Mass.) advanced to third on a single by sophomore shortstop Kierstan Skinner (Windsor, Conn.) and then scored on a miscue by Nazareth on the play to give the Blazers a 1-0 edge.

The lead did not last long as the Golden Flyers struck for four in the home half of the third frame highlighted by RBI singles from Maureen Rogers (Clarence, N.Y.) and Carly Pike (Perry, N.Y.) and a two-run triple off the bat of Sophia Rhoades (Highland, N.Y.) to set the score at 4-1.

Colson and Nazareth pitcher Danae Wetherbee (Geneva, N.Y.) each twirled two more scoreless frames, before the Golden Flyers put the game out of reach with three tallies in the bottom of the sixth. Rhoades delivered a run-scoring double, while Emily Beckley (Allison Park, Pa.) and Morgan Ross (West Monroe, N.Y.) each notched RBI base hits to secure the 7-1 victory.

Rhoades was 3 for 3 with three RBI in the winning effort, while Wetherbee earned the win in the circle with three strikeouts.

Elms' junior catcher Gianna Gonyea (East Longmeadow, Mass.) was 2 for 3 at the plate while Kierstan Skinner, Colson and senior first baseman Ally Witaszek (Feeding Hills, Mass.) each had a hit for the Blazers in the losing effort.

Colson pitched all six innings on the mound and struck out three batters in the losing effort.

Elms concludes action at the Gene Cusic Classic on Wednesday, March 12 when it plays Wooster College at 9:00 a.m. and Ohio Wesleyan University at 11:00 a.m.