Wildcats Split in Home Opener with the Pilgrims

LONGMEADOW, Mass.—Bay Path University opened up the home stand with a split against the Pilgrims of New England College taking the opener 3-2 and falling 13-5 in the nightcap. Leading the way for the Wildcats was senior short stop Lauren Vallee (Bristol, Conn.) going 4-for-7 on the day with four runs including three doubles and one triple. Freshman outfielder Cameille Keith (Pawtucket, R.I.) led the Wildcats in RBI with going 2-for-6 with two RBI and two runs.

Game One: Bay Path 3, NEC 2 Box Score: https://baypath.prestosports.com/sports/sball/2017-18/boxscores/20180324_y21l.xml

Bay Path broke up the tie 2-2 in the fifth scoring the final run of the game when sophomore catcher Lilly West (Goshen, Mass.) plated Vallee to notch the 3-2 victory over New England College. The Pilgrims jumped to an early lead scoring two runs in the top of the second, while Bay Path answered in the bottom of the third. Juniors Shawnie Clark (Holden, Mass.) and Christine McNeil (Pawcatuck, Conn.) each scored off of errors to start the ball rolling.  Vallee and junior centerfielder Jai Ruiz (Hadley, Mass.) also scored off of errors, before Ruiz was injured.

Sophomore hurler Felicia Gaillardetz (Londonderry, N.H.) earned the victory going seven innings allowing only two runs – one earned- off of five hits. Gaillardetz struck out seven and walked two batters.  Freshman pitcher Taylor Barbour (Bay Shore, N.Y.) suffered the loss tossing six innings allowing three runs-two earned- on seven hits.  She fanned eight batters and walked one for the game.

Game Two: New England College 13, Bay Path 5 (5 innings): https://baypath.prestosports.com/sports/sball/2017-18/boxscores/20180324_bq0q.xml

Both teams came out of the gate strong scoring three runs each in the first inning.  NEC clinched it scoring three more runs in the second and seven runs in the third inning.  Bay Path could not gain enough momentum only scoring two more runs in the third and fourth.

The Pilgrims were lead by freshman infielder Destiny Helmedach (Middlefield, Conn.) who scored two runs going 2-for-4 with a game high three RBI. Three other pilgrims added two hits. Vallee lead the way for Bay Path going 3-for-3.

Freshman pitcher Emily Farone (Sandown, N.H.) notched the win. She allowed five runs, three earned, on nine hits. Junior Maddie Goodhart (Pawtucket, R.I.) suffered the loss giving up 13 runs, only four earned, on 12 hits. She fanned two batters.

Bay Path is now 5-7 on the season and NEC is 4-12 overall.