Softball Downs Wentworth Institute of Technology, 8-0

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Elms College softball team notched its first victory of the 2014 season with an 8-0 win over Wentworth Institute of Technology in Tuesday morning's Gene Cusic Classic softball game in Fort Myers, Fla.

With the win, Elms improves to 1-4 overall.

Elms got off to a fast start plating three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Sophomore shortstop Kierstan Skinner (South Windsor, Conn.) led off the frame with a single to left field and later and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by senior first baseman Ally Witaszek (Feeding Hills, Mass.). A walk to junior center fielder Gina DiGiovanni (Springfield, Mass.) put two on before Kierstan Skinner stole third. A two-run double by senior third baseman Caitlee Carrier (Charlestown, Mass.) allowed both runs to come home. Carrier stole third and then scored when senior second baseman Abby Capone (Fitchburg, Mass.) reached on an error to set the score at 3-0.

Elms increased the lead to 4-0 in the third when DiGiovanni walked and later scored.

Carrier and senior pitcher Beth Grimes (Terryville, Conn.) scored two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning and Grimes delivered a two-run double in the last of the sixth to give the Blazers an 8-0 victory.

Carrier finished 2 for 4 at the plate and DiGiovanni drew three free passes to highlight the offensive effort for Elms.

On the mound, Grimes was electric tossing 15 strikeouts in six innings of shutout softball. She struck out the side in the second, fourth and fifth innings and allowed just one hit in the sixth stanza to complete the Blazers' victory.