Wildcats Sweep Elms in Conference Softball Double Header

LONGMEADOW, Mass. - The Wildcats hosted local New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) rival Elms College in a conference double header with Bay Path edging the Blazers in both games 2-1 including a stellar pitching duel for the opener that went nine innings. Senior hurler Keelin Dougherty (Northfield, N.H.) was dominant in the circle today for Bay Path tossing all 16 innings picking up both wins  allowing only two runs (one earned), on ten hits with five walks and three strike-outs for the day.

In the opener, both Dougherty and Elms' junior pitcher Beth Grimes (Terryville, Conn.) waged a defensive war in the circle allowing no runs until the ninth inning.  Grimes suffered the loss allowing two runs (one earned) on only three hits while fanning 14 batters.

Senior outfielder Kellie McLaughlin (Pittsfield, Mass.) was placed on second due to the international tie-breaker rule. McLaughlin would score on a sacrifice fly to center field by junior infielder Rachel Beery (Springfield, Mass.) to put the first run on the board in the top of the ninth. The Wildcats would answer the Blazers back in the bottom of the ninth when sophomore outfielder Anna Meyer (Millbrook, N.Y.) would notch two RBI's on a single shot up the middle sending Dougherty and junior centerfielder Katherine Chabot (Brookfield, Mass.).

In the nightcap, Bay Path struck first in the bottom of the fifth when Chabot scored again off a junior infielder Marina Rhodes (Providence, R.I.) single. Elms would knot the game in the seventh. Freshman pinch hitter Tessa Cote (Granby, Mass.) doubled on a hard shot to left field. Junior outfielder Jennifer Bouvier (Mashpee, Mass.) would reenter for Cote and score the tying run off a senior outfielder Kellie McLaughlin (Pittsfield, Mass.) shot to centerfield.

Once again the duo of Chabot and Rhodes would send the Blazers packing with Chabot scoring the game winner off another single by Rhodes. Chabot would take advantage of a throwing error by Elms.

Bay Path is now 5-11 overall and 4-4 in the conference, while Elms falls to 5-11 on the season and 3-5 in NECC play.