Wildcats Sweep Blazers in Conference Double Header

LONGMEADOW, Mass.-  Sophomore hurler Keelin Dougherty (Northfield, N.H.) led the way for the Wildcats today notching two wins including a shut-out for her 14 innings of work along with going 3-for-4 with one run and two RBI's in the opener and adding two more runs in the nightcap. In the nightcap sophomore catcher Mercedes Griffith (Malden, Mass.) nailed a walk-off homerun over the left field fence to break the 6-6 tie in the bottom of the seventh completing the sweep with a 7-6 victory over cross county conference rivals the Blazers of Elms College.

Not only was today Pink Out day for Bay Path but they also honored their four departing seniors in their final home stand including first-year infielder Samantha Berrios (New York, N.Y.),three-year utility Emily Evans (Westford, Mass.), three-year infielder Maeghan Whitcomb (Sheffield, Vt.) and four-year outfielder Vanessa Chaplin (Attleboro, Mass.). The softball team raised money today at the pink out event with all proceeds being donated to the Bay State Cancer Research Center to help support breast cancer awareness.

In game one, Bay Path started their tear in the bottom of the third with freshman infielder Nicole Ogden (Springfield, Mass.) doubling to left center plating two runs in fellow freshman Katherine Chabot (Brookfield, Mass.) and Marina Rhodes (Providence, R.I.).

Dougherty would start the spark in the fourth plating sophomore outfielder Nicole Dexter (Delanson, N.Y.) and pinch runner Jen Scionti (Cromwell, Conn.). Dougherty would finish up the scoring after Chabot took advantage of Blazer error.

With the score 5-0, Bay Path would add one more insurance run in the sixth with Chaplin crossing the home after Rhodes layed down a beautiful bunt.

Dougherty (12-13) would toss an awesome first game allowing only three Blazer hits. She struck out four batters and walked four for the complete game. Senior Courtney Hampton (Westfield, Mass) suffered both losses giving up six runs, three earned, on eight hits. She fanned six and walked two batters.

In the nightcap, Bay Path came up big answering every one of Elms runs including the walk-off homer by Griffith and Rhodes solo shot over the center field fence for her first collegiate home run.

Elms jumped out to a 4-0 early lead when junior second baseman Ali Bonavita (Agawam, Mass.) connected on a sacrifice fly sending senior outfielder Jennifer Killion (Cambridge, Mass.) home.  

Freshman designated player Elizabeth Patient (Leicester, Mass.) notched the other RBI after Elms took advantage of some errors by Bay Path.

Sophomore third baseman Caitlee Carrier (Charlestown, Mass.) delivered a sacrifice fly and Patient later scored on a passed ball to give the Blazers a 4-0 cushion.

Chabot answered back in the bottom of the first with a sac fly plating Dougherty. The Wildcats two-run double off the bat of Whitcomb pull the Wildcats to within one at 4-3.

Bay Path jumped ahead 5-4 in the second with Rhodes and Dougherty scoring two unearned. Elms again knotted it in the third scoring one more unearned run. The Blazers then took the lead back 6-5 in the fourth with an RBI single to right field by junior center fielder Leah Spring (South Hadley, Mass.) sending senior shortstop Amanda Alvarado (Springfield, Mass.) home.

In the sixth, Rhodes nailed her first homer knotting the game 6-6. Griffith would grab another juicy pitch in the bottom of the seventh and send Elms packing.

Dougherty would again pitch a full game giving up six runs, only one earned on eight hits earning her 12th win of the season. She would walk one and fan three for the game. Hampton would again suffer the loss allowing seven runs, four earned, on eleven hits. She had three strike-outs and four walks.

Bay Path is now 14-23 and 9-7 in NECC play, while Elms is right behind with a 12-17 overall record and 8-8 in conference play. Bay Path is currently fourth and Elms fifth in NECC standings the Wildcats will face Lesley on Saturday, while Elms hosts Regis finishing off conference play.