Explosive First Inning Not Enough For Blazer Softball

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. -- The Elms College softball team had an explosive first inning, but fell short at Smith College on Monday evening, dropping a 7-5 non-conference contest against the Pioneers.

Elizabeth Olszewski (Canterbury, Conn.) and Jeszy McGuire (Brimfield, Mass.) each drove in runs in the top of the first inning before Kayla Doherty (Plaistow, N.H.) scored after a Smith error to put the Blazers (3-8) ahead 3-0.

Smith (3-10), however, answered with three runs in the bottom of the first after two singles and two doubles. The Pioneers made it 5-3 in the bottom of the second inning after two singles were followed by back-to-back Blazer errors.

Olszewski made it 5-4 in the top of the third with a solo home run, her second long ball of the season. Olszewski added an RBI double in the top of the seventh inning, which cut the Elms deficit to 7-5, but the Blazers couldn't complete the comeback.

Olszewski finished the game 2-for-4 at the plate with three RBIs. Katelyn Sylvia (Southwick, Mass.) was effective out of the lead-off spot for Elms, picking up three hits and scoring once. Messier and Lisa Lusardi (Enfield, Conn.) also had multi-hit games for Elms.

Alyssa Pioggia led the Pioneers at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Rowan Turner got the win in the pitcher's circle for Smith, striking out nine Blazers in the complete-game performance.

Elms will return to action on Wednesday, hosting a double-header against Westfield State beginning at 3:00 p.m.