Softball Drop NECC Doubleheader At Lesley

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The Elms College softball team was edged by host Lesley University in a New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) doubleheader at St. Peter's Field Saturday afternoon. The Blazers (13-16, 10-6 NECC) fell 3-1 in the opener, and then suffered a 1-0 setback to the Lynx (15-16, 12-3 NECC) in the nightcap.

Game 1: Lesley 3, Elms 1

After Bushman concluded the top of the first with back-to-back strikeouts, the Lynx offense went to work pushing across two runs in the home half of the first. Senior outfielder Mekenzi Golden (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) opened the frame with a walk before coming into score on a throwing error for the first run of the game. Fellow senior, third baseman Carlyn Barker (Temecula, Calif.) drove in sophomore shortstop Abby Henderson (Rochester, N.H.) with the second Lynx run to increase their lead to 2-0.

The Blazers were able to get a run back in the top of the third. Sophomore Catharine Wrang (Middleton, Conn.) ripped a base-hit into leftfield to drive home classmate Jeszy McGuire (Brimfield, Mass.) to cut the deficit in half.

It was as close as they would get. Bushman responded retiring the next eight batters she faced including three by way of the "K."

The added an insurance run in the bottom of the fourth. Senior right-fielder Hannah Levensailor (Ayer, Mass.) plated pinch-runner, first year Patricia Muratore (Mamaroneck, N.Y.) with an bunt single in the fourth to give Lesley 3-1 lead. It was more than enough for Bushman who was on her way to an 8-6 record.

Elms senior left-hander Tessa Cote (Granby, Mass.) took the loss despite striking out eight opposing batters to fall to 8-8 on the season.

Game 2: Lesley 1, Elms 0

Game two of the twin-billing was good old fashion pitcher's duel between Nisbet and sophomore right-hander Raeanna Tumel (Stafford, Conn.). The Lynx struck first blood scoring once in the bottom of the first and it proved to be all they needed.

For the second straight game, Golden opened the home half of the first pulling a single through the right side before advancing 60 feet on a single by Barker. After the pair of seniors swiped third and second, respectively, first year backstop Ally Murphy (Raynham, Mass.) walked to load the bases and knock Cote of the game. With ducks on the pond, sophomore first baseman Jordan Raab (Rochester, N.H.) came through in the clutch with a single into rightfield to bring in Golden and put the Lynx up 1-0.

Elms was threatening to tie the game in the top of the fourth. The Blazers had the bases loaded and one out but Nisbet was able to get out the inning unscathed thanks in part to tremendous defense by her veteran third baseman.

Two innings later in the top of the sixth, Nisbet was able to sneak out of another jam untouched. Senior Kacey Gifford (Suffield, Conn.) ripped a one-out single into right field then advance into scoring position on a wild pitch. But it did not rattle the Lynx right-hander. Nisbet stayed on point and got McGuire to ground out to shortstop to end the threat.

Cote took the loss dropping her to 8-10 on the season despite allowing just one run on three hits. Tumel pitched a scoreless 5.2 innings of relief scattering six hits while striking out five.

The Blazers will be back in action when they host Newbury College for an NECC doubleheader on Senior Day Sunday at 1:00 p.m. The Lynx return to the diamond tomorrow afternoon when they travel to Nashua, N.H. for two against Daniel Webster College at 1:00 p.m.

Source: (Lesley University Athletics)