Wildcats Pecked by Blue Jays in Softball Double Header

LONGMEADOW, Mass.- Junior pitcher/infielder Keelin Dougherty (Northfield, N.H.) was the only Wildcat to hit safely in both contests of the day going 2-for-6 with four runs including a double and triple. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, they fell to the Blue Jays of the University of St. Joseph in both contests 13-3 and 5-3, with the nightcap being halted due to darkness at Ryan Field for an NCAA Division III regional matchup.

In game one, the Blue Jays were led by the senior pitcher Emily Hummel (Hebron, Conn.) who went 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBI and one double. Hummel (5-0) also recorded the win going 4.0 innings fanning seven batters. She gave up three hits and one run (unearned). Freshman reliever Emily Vigue (Lebanon, Conn.) hurled the final three innings allowing only one hit and two runs; she walked three and struck out seven as well. Vigue was big for the Blue Jays at the plate as well going 2-for-5 with game high five RBI.

Bay Path was led by Dougherty, who also played amazing defense at shortstop for the game. Also notching hits for the Wildcats was junior infielder Emily Serrano (North Adams, Mass), junior infielder/catcher Mercedes Griffith (Malden, Mass.) and freshman utility player Anna Meyer (Millbrook, N.Y.). Serrano and Meyer also tallied doubles, while Serrano had a sacrifice bunt.

In the nightcap, St. Joseph came out ahead after getting to bat in the seventh when the game was called for darkness. Bay Path held the lead 2-1 until the fourth when the game was knotted 2-2. The Blue Jays managed to bring home one runner in the next three innings to gain the lead despite Bay Path's solo run in the fifth and not getting their chance at last at bats.

Three Wildcats hit safely in the second game, Dougherty, sophomore infielder Marina Rhodes (Providence, R.I.) and senior catcher, NECC player of the week, Nicole Dexter (Delanson, N.Y.). Dexter also notched two RBI, while Dougherty had two runs.

Once again, Hummel led the way for St. Joseph going 2-for-4 with two runs including a double. Also going 2-for-4 was senior shortstop Stephanie Valerio (Wolcott, Conn.), who also tallied a double and one RBI. Coming off the bench, junior pinch hitter Ashley Gall (Stafford Springs, Conn.) homered in the top of the sixth.

Dougherty (4-4) suffered the loss for the Wildcats in the nightcap. She allowed five runs on nine hits, only three earned, while walking three and fanning two. Freshman pitcher Patti Sciglimpaglia (Norwalk, Conn.) earned the win with 13 strike-outs and two walks. She gave up three runs on three hits.

Bay Path is now 7-9 on the season, while University of Saint Joseph (Connecticut) is 8-4 overall. Bay Path will be back in action on Thursday, March 28^th travelling to Albertus Magnus for a 6:00 pm double header under the lights.