Softball Hosts Mitchell in Conference Opener

CHICOPEE, Mass. - The Elms College Softball team hosted Mitchell College for their conference opener of the 2025 season in a doubleheader on Sunday afternoon at Cheryl R. Condon Field.

BASICS
Game 1
Score: Elms College 0 | Mitchell College 8
Records: Blazers 2-15, 0-1 (GNAC) | Mariners 6-9, 1-2 (GNAC)

Game 2
Score: Elms College 0 | Mitchell College 11
Records: Blazers 2-16, 0-2 (GNAC) | Mariners 7-9, 2-2 (GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1
First year pitcher Reece Hebert (North Haven, Conn.) started the game for Elms, pitching five innings, with two strikeouts. In the first inning, the two conference foes would not record a hit, but Mitchell would be the first on the scoreboard, scoring two runs in the top of the second inning. Then in the bottom half of the inning, graduate student catcher Kelsey Bennett (Granby, Mass.) would hit a single up the middle for the hit for Elms. As the innings continued, the Mariners offense would continue to tally runs, scoring five in the third inning. In the bottom of the third, sophomore infielder/pitcher Jill Dykema (Preston, Conn.) would hit a single, but once again the Blazers would be shut down by the Mitchell defense. The Mariners would add one more run in the fifth inning, as Mitchell would take Game 1, 8-0.

Game 2
The second game would see sophomore pitcher/outfielder Kaelyn Zakaitis (Amherst, Mass.) would start Game 2 for Elms, pitching two ⅔ innings. The Mariners would once again be the first to score, adding three runs in the top of the first, followed by two runs in the top of the second and four runs in the third inning. In the bottom of the second inning, senior outfielder Sarah Fortini (Florida, Mass.) would hit a leadoff double to right center field, but the Blazers would continue to struggle offensively. Mitchell would secure the conference victory, 11-0, in Game 2 after scoring two last runs in the fifth inning.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Bennett: one for four.

• Dykema: would pitch two ⅓ innings with a strikeout, and would go one for four.

• Fortini: one for four, with a double.

• Hebert: would pitch five innings, with two strikeouts.

• Zakaitis: would pitch two ⅔ innings.

UP NEXT: The Elms Softball team will return to Cheryl R. Condon Field on Tuesday, April 1st hosting Fisher College for a non-conference doubleheader at 2 & 4 pm.

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