Cote Hurls No-Hitter In Doubleheader Sweep At Wheelock

REVERE, Mass. - Today, the pitching was the story as the Elms College softball team swept host Wheelock College in New England Collegiate Conference action while allowing just four total baserunners at St. Mary's Field. The Blazers improve to 7-12 and 5-3 in the NECC while the Wildcats fall to 1-19 and 1-9 in conference.

Game 1: Elms 16, Wheelock 0 (5 Innings)

In the opener, Elms led 1-0 after the first and opened the flood gates in the second. Patience at the plate, costly errors, and timely hitting led the Blazers to a five-run frame capped by a bases clearing double from sophomrore Erin O'Donnell (Glenmont, N.Y.). 

The visitors would continue to expand their lead, pouring on four in the fourth and six in the fifth to cruise to a 16-0 victory. 

The real story of the game was Elms senior starter Tessa Cote (Granby, Mass.). Cote allowed just one walk in the second inning on her way to a no-hitter. She struck out four through five shutout innings to earn the win.

Wheelock senior Maggie Doyle (Kingston, Mass.) took the loss in the circle, allowing 16 runs (two earned) as she went the distance.

The Blazers were led offensively by O'Donnell who went 2-for-4 with a run and three RBI. Junior Elizabeth Olszewski (Canterbury, Conn.) was also 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI on a two-run homer.

Game 2: Elms 10, Wheelock 0 (5 Innings)

In the nightcap, O'Donnell picked up where she left off for the visitors as she ripped a two-RBI double in the first and added a two-RBI base knock in the second while Elms opened up a 9-0 advantage. 

The Blazers would tack on one more in the third as they coasted to a 10-0 win. 

Cote earned another victory for Elms with three innings of work, allowing one hit and two walks. Sophomore Raeanna Tumel (Stafford, Conn.) closed out the game with two perfect innings as she fanned three batters.

Rookie Hanna Gootee (Hampton, N.H.) went the distance in the circle but suffered the loss despite striking out four. 

Wheelock was led offensively by junior Rachael Simpson (Littleton, Mass.) who went 1-for-2. Doyle and sophomore Shannon Creedon (Woodstock, Conn.) each secured a .500 OBP with 0-for-1 afternoons and a walk apiece. 

O'Donnell led Elms with a 3-for-4 game including a run scored and five RBI. Sophomore Catharine Wrang (Middletown, Conn.) went 1-for-2 with two walks and a game-high three runs. 

Elms heads to Eastern Nazarene on Tuesday for a pair of games beginning at 5:00 p.m. Wheelock returns to action on Monday when they head to Dean for a doubleheader starting at 3:00 p.m.