Wildcats Get Swept by Nighthawks in Conference Double Header

LONGMEADOW, Mass.-- The Wildcats of Bay Path College unfortunately fall for the Newbury Nighthawks tricks losing both New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) games 10-3 and 3-2 today on April Fool's Day. Despite the tough loses, Sophomore pitcher/outfielder Keelin Dougherty (Northfield, N.H.) led the way for Bay Path batting .600 (3-for-5) on the day with three runs one triple and one RBI.

Only two other Wildcats hit safely in both contests including a freshman duo of outfielder Katherine Chabot (Brookfield, Mass.) batted .500 (3-for-6) and pitcher/outfielder Marina Rhodes (Providence, R.I.) batted .286 (2-for-7).

In game one, Bay Path struck first when senior infielder Maeghan Whitcomb (Sheffield, Vt.) plated Chabot on a shot to left field. With the score 1-0 both pitchers managed to pitch efffectively in the second inning.

Newbury scored four runs in the top of the third inning taking advantage of a few Wildcat errors. Junior outfielder Audrey Spataro (El Paso, Tex.)scored on a passed ball with two outs after doubling down the left line. After a Wildcat error, junior pitcher Rebecca Roach (Charlton, Mass.) would hit her first homer of the season bringing freshman Julia Flemenco (Copiague, N.Y.) and junior Theresa Hylinski (Stratford, Conn.)along for the ride.

Hylinski would step up in the fourth notching a RBI doubling to left center sending freshman leadoff Anjelina Mayjoffo (Antioch, Calif.) across the plate.

Nighthawks would add two more runs in the fifth Spataro would plate senior cather Ariel Ross (Gales Ferry, Conn.) singling down the right line. Next up to bat, Mayjoffo would follow her lead and single down the left line sending freshman infielder Nicole Cuneo (Norton, Mass.) home.

After a three inning dry spell, Bay Path would add a run in the fifth with Dougherty stating the inning off with a single and scoring the lone run after Whitcomb again notched an RBI after a shot to right field.

The sixth inning would go quick for both teams remaining 7-2 in favor of the Nighthawks.

Newbury would add three more insurance runs in the seventh with Mayjoffa scoring again off a Hylinski poke up the middle. Flamenco would then hit the second homerun of the day brini ng Hylinski home.

Despite a small comeback in the by the Wildcats in the bottom of the seventh with Whitcomb again tallying another RBI sending Dougherty across home plate again. Bay Path was unable to score any more.

Roach would pick up the win allowing three runs on six hits. She struck out 12 and walked three for her seven innings of work. Rhodes (2-8) would suffer the loss allowing ten runs, six earned,on nine hits. She fanned five and walked eight.

In the nightcap, Bay Path would come up short in the final inning. The game proved to be a pitching duel for Dougherty and Roach.

Bay Path struck first in the third with junior outfielder Theresa West (Hadley, Mass.) scoring after notching the first hit of the inning. Dougherty who nailed a hard shot to rightfield tried for the inside the park home run but unfortunately was caught by the Ross in a tight call.

Newbury would answer and knot the game in the fourth with Ross scoring on a fielding error.

Despite the valiant effort on Dougherty's part Newbury would take advanatge of Bay Path errors in the seventh and score two runs to take the lead and win the nightcap with Mayjoffa and Hylinski scoring.

Dougherty (3-8) would suffer the loss despite throwing a two-hitter.   She only allowed three unearned runs on two hits; fanning seven and walking four. Roach (4-6) would pick up the second win giving up two runs on six hits. She also struck out seven and walked two for the nightcap.

Newbury advances 4-12 overall and 2-0 in conference play. Bay Path falls to 5-17 and 0-2 in the NECC. Bay Path will be back in action on Wednesday, April 4th hosting Smith College in a 4:00 p.m. single game.