Softball Walks Off to Split Home Doubleheader Against Vermont State-Johnson

CHICOPEE, Mass. - The Elms College Softball team hosted Vermont State University-Johnson in a non-conference doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Cheryl R. Condon Field.

BASICS
Game 1
Score: Elms College 4 | Vermont State University-Johnson 6
Records: Blazers 1-10, 0-0 (GNAC) | Badgers 2-9, 0-0 (NAC)

Game 2
Score: Elms College 8 | Vermont State University-Johnson 7
Records: Blazers 2-10, 0-0 (GNAC) | Badgers 2-10, 0-0 (NAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1
First year pitcher Reece Hebert (North Haven, Conn.) would start the game in the circle, pitching five innings with six strikeouts and three scoreless innings. In the top of the first inning, Hebert would strikeout the first and fourth batters to keep the game 0-0. For the first two innings, the score would remain scoreless, but in the top of the third inning, Vermont State-Johnson would earn four runs after a defensive error by the Blazers and a three-run home run, followed by a fifth run in the fourth inning after a wild pitch. In the bottom half of the inning, Elms would begin to rally, after Hebert would hit a single to center field to drive in senior outfielder Sarah Fortini (Florida, Mass.), followed by a two-run double by sophomore utility player Amanda Raymond (Auburn, Maine), driving in Hebert and senior infielder Danajah Stokes (Savannah, Ga.) to make the score 5-3. In the next two innings both teams would get runners on base, but would be unsuccessful in scoring runs. In the top of the sixth inning, sophomore pitcher/outfielder Kaelyn Zakaitis (Amherst, Mass.) would come in to relieve Hebert and would pitch two innings. Then in the top of the seventh inning, the Badgers would score on a sacrifice fly to extend their lead. In the bottom half of the inning, Elms would try to start a late rally after sophomore infielder/pitcher Jill Dykema (Preston, Conn.) was walked and would be driven in by a triple to left field from graduate student catcher Kelsey Bennett (Granby, Mass.), but Vermont State-Johnson would win the first game 6-4.

Game 2
The second game would see Zakaitis take the ball, pitching five and ⅔ innings with three strikeouts. In the top of the first inning, the Badgers would hit well, but the Elms defense would stay strong, including a double play after a grounded ball to Zakatis would earn the first out, then force a pickle in between second and third base to earn the second out. In the bottom half of the inning, Elms would be the first to score, after Bennett would hit a single to center field to score Raymond, followed by Dykema and Bennett scoring a wild pitch and a fielding error. Vermont State-Johnson would then score two runs in the top of the second inning. Then in the bottom of the third inning, senior outfielder Kyla Cook (Taunton, Mass.) would hit a leadoff home run to right center field to make the score 4-2, followed by two one-run singles from Dykema and Bennett in the bottom of the fourth inning. Both teams would score a run in the fifth inning, after Cook would drive in Dykema with a single to center field. In the top of the sixth inning, the Badgers would tie the game, 7-7, after scoring four runs. During the inning, Zakaitis would be relieved by Hebert to pitch the final inning and a third, with two strikeouts. Then in the bottom of the seventh inning with two runners in scoring position, Cook would hit a walk-off single up the middle to drive in Stokes for the winning run, to split the doubleheader 8-7.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Barthel: one for six, with a walk and a stolen base.

• Bennett: three for six, with a triple, a run scored, a run batted-in, a walk.

• Cook: three for eight, with a home run, a run scored, and a run batted-in.

• Dykema: three for seven, with three runs scored, a run batted-in, two walks, and a stolen base.

• Fortini: one for six, with a run scored, a walk, and a stolen base.

• Hebert: would pitch a combined six and ⅓ innings with eight strikeouts, and would go one for one at the plate with a run scored, a run batted-in, a walk, and a stolen base.

• Padilla: one for five.

• Raymond: three for five, with a double, three runs scored, two runs batted-in, four walks, and three stolen bases.

• Stokes: one for five, with a run scored, two walks, and a stolen base.

• Zakaitis: would pitch a combined seven and ⅔ innings with three strikeouts, and go 0 for five with a walk at the plate.

UP NEXT: The Elms Softball team will return to Cheryl R. Condon Field on Sunday, March 23rd hosting Vermont State University-Lyndon for a doubleheader at 12 & 2 pm.

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