Softball Slugs Past Daniel Webster In NECC Sweep

Chris Kendrick (@CKendrick86)

NASHUA, N.H. – The Elms College softball squad collected a pair of victories over Daniel Webster College during a New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) doubleheader at Eagle Field Saturday afternoon. With the wins, the Blazers improve to 5-10 overall, and 3-1 in the NECC, while Daniel Webster slides to 1-5 in conference play and 1-8 on the season.

Game 1: Elms 21, Daniel Webster 1 (5 Innings)

The Blazers jumped on the Eagles early in the opener, hanging eight runs on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first inning. With the bases loaded, sophomore Erin O'Donnell (Glenmont, N.Y.) ripped a two-run double down the left field line, followed by an RBI single from junior Elizabeth Olszewski (Canterbury, Conn.) to put Elms ahead 4-0. Senior Kacey Gifford (Suffield, Conn.) cranked a two-run single into the right-centerfield gap, scoring O'Donnell and Olszewski. After loading the bases again, sophomore Madison Messier (Warren, Mass.) cleared the bases with a three-run double to left field, extending the Blazers advantage to 8-0.

The Eagles plated their lone run of the game in the top of the second behind an RBI single from junior Megan Blongy (Rutland, Vt.) to make it 8-1. The Elms offense continued to swing a hot bat, bring home nine runs in the bottom of the frame, sparked by an RBI single from Gifford. With runners on first and second, senior Tessa Cote (Granby, Mass.) laced a two-run double, and then came around to score on a two-run triple from Messier, to stake Elms to a 13-1 lead. Messier touched home on an RBI single from freshman Katelyn Sylvia (Southwick, Mass.), and then Olszewski launched a three-run home run over the left field fence to push the Elms advantage to 17-1.

The Blazers maintained their edge with two runs in the third on an RBI double from Cote and an RBI single from Messier, and wrapped up their scoring with a two-run double from sophomore Jeszy McGuire (Brimfield, Mass.) to lock up the 21-1 victory.

Messier recorded a career-high six RBIs, going 3-for-3 with two runs scored. Olszewski drove in four runs and scored four times, while Gifford and Cote knocked in three runs and crossed home three times each. Cote (1-5) logged the complete game victory from the pitching circle, limiting Daniel Webster to one run on four hits with five strikeouts.

Game 2: Elms 8, Daniel Webster 1 (6 Innings)

The Blazers gained a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning as Sylvia drove home Messier with an RBI double to left field. Elms continued to add to their advantage in the bottom of the second as sophomore Catharine Wrang (Middletown, Coon.) knocked an RBI single, and then advanced to second on a stolen base. Wrang came home on a two-run double by Sylvia to push the Blazers ahead 4-0. O'Donnell connected on a two-run shot over the right field fence, putting Elms on top 6-0.

After three scoreless innings, the Eagles got on the scoreboard with an RBI sacrifice fly from senior Skylar Evans (Cranston, R.I.) to trim the gap to 6-1. The Blazers put the Eagles away in the bottom of the frame as sophomore Kayla Doherty (Plaistow, N.H.) knocked a two-run double to send Elms off with the 8-1 win.

Sylvia led the way at the dish for Elms, knocking in three runs on two hits with a run scored. O'Donnell drove in two runs and scored twice, while Doherty plated two runs in the win. Blazers sophomore Raeanna Tumel (2-3; Stafford, Conn.) registered the complete game victory in the circle, holding the Eagles to one run on six hits with a season-high 10 strikeouts.

The Blazers will look to remain in the win column when they host Becker College in an NECC doubleheader at Cheryl R. Condon Field Sunday at 1:00 p.m. Daniel Webster travels to Southern Vermont for an NECC twinbill Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

ELMS SOFTBALL