Bay Path Picks Up First Victory Splitting a Twin Bill with Johnson State

LONGMEADOW, Mass.—In Bay Path College's first home double header action the Wildcats were able to split the day winning the first one 15-6 in six innings, only to allow the Johnson State Badgers to wage a comeback in the sixth inning of the nightcap overcoming the Wildcats 15-13 today in NCAA Division III regional action. Bay Path was lead by senior outfielder Katie Begin (Weare, N.H.) and freshman infielder Nicole Dexter (Delanson, N.Y.) both batting .800 for the day. Dexter was able to make her collegiate first home stand memorable knocking to home runs for the Wildcats.

In game one, Johnson State struck early scoring four runs to take the lead. The Badgers were able to score four runs off of some errors made by the Wildcats with senior designated player Emily Sullivan (Hollis, Maine) nailing a shot down the right line.  Sullivan along with freshman infielder Erica Pustari (North Haven, Conn.), sophomore infielder Tanya Randall (Fryeburg, Maine) and senior infielder Kayla Golfin (Castleton, Vt.) all scored.

Bay Path answered back with three runs in the first including two home runs by Dexter and fellow freshman Emily Serrano (North Adams, Mass.). Serrano nailed a two run homer bringing freshman hurler Keelin Dougherty (Northfield, N.H.) with her after she was walked by the Badgers sophomore pitcher Meagan Russ (Burlington, Vt.).

The Wildcats were able to score 12 more runs in each inning except the fifth including five in the third. Dougherty and her team managed to hold the Badgers until the sixth inning were they picked up their final run. Sophomore outfield reservist   Maria Lovelette (Berkshire, Vt.) tallied the final run after Sullivan brought her home.

The eventual game winning run for Bay Path came in the third from senior outfielder Kate Lowy (South Burlington, Vt.).  Lowy nailed a single up the middle and was eventually brought home by sophomore outfielder Theresa West (Hadley, Mass.).

Dougherty picked up her first collegiate win going the distance allowing only six runs, one earned on four hits. She walked five and fanned six for the contest. Russ picked up her ninth loss allowing 15 runs, 11 earned on 13 hits. She struck out three and walked five for the opener.

Sophomore Caitlin Mackey (St. Albans, Vt.) led her team going 2-for-2. Dexter and Begin led the Wildcats each with three hits and three runs.

In the nightcap, the extreme weather took a toll on all the pitchers with both game two starters getting pulled and the game one hurlers reentering. The weather dropped to about 35 degrees with a much colder wind chill factor and caused some tough errors all around.

Bay Path jumped off to the early lead after the first 3-1 and easily nabbed four more runs in the second inning. Johnson State finally answered back in the top of the third with two runs as did the Wildcats take that call and return two more runs. By the fifth inning both pitchers were having a tough time with the cold conditions. The score was 11-6 in favor of Bay Path. The Badgers managed to wage a great come-back scoring nine runs in the final two innings.

The Badgers scored five unearned runs in the sixth and four runs in the seventh, two earned. Sullivan and Mackey both produced two hard hit double shots and later scored. Sullivan brought Mackey home while freshman Samantha Pothier (Enosburg Falls, Vt.) nailed a single up the middle sending Mackey home.  Pothier would score on an error and land the eventual game winning run.

Despite a valiant last ditch effort in the bottom of the seventh inning with Dexter once again shelling a two run homer, Bay Path fell short two runs.

Russ would pick up her first win on the season going five innings of relief giving up six runs on eight hits. She struck out eight batters and walked three. Mackey threw the first two innings allowing seven runs on three hits. She walked six and fanned two. Unfortunately, starting Wildcat senior hurler Alex Putnam (Topsfield, Mass.) suffered the loss going 5.2 innings giving up eleven runs only four earned on eight hits. She fanned seven, walked six and hit one batter. Dougherty went 1.1 innings of relief allowing four runs on four hits, two earned runs. She walked one and struck out two for the final inning and a half.

Junior infielder Kellie Lastowski (Turners Falls, Mass.) led the Wildcats going 3-for-3 with four runs and one RBI. Putnam was the only other Wildcat to notch multiple hits with two for the day along with three RBI.

Mackey again led her team going 3-for-4 with four runs and two RBI. Pothier and Russ also garnered multiple hits with a combined four on the contest. Pothier added two runs and two RBI.

Bay Path is now 1-3 on the season while Johnson State is 1-9 overall. Bay Path will host NECC's Wheelock College in a non-conference double header tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.