Wildcats Split with Nighthawks in Conference Softball Action

LONGMEADOW, Mass.- Bay Path College hosted New England Collegiate Conference opponent Newbury College in a women's softball double header where the Wildcats split on the day falling 9-1 in a six inning opener and came back to take game two 3-2 in the seventh inning of the nightcap. Three Wildcats managed to hit safely in both games including junior centerfielder Katherine Chabot (Brookfield, Mass.), senior pitcher Keelin Dougherty (Northfield, N.H.) and senior catcher Mercedes Griffith (Malden, Mass.).

In game one the Nighthawks took advantage of some Wildcat errors jumping ahead six runs in the top of the third inning. Sophomore centerfielder Sherri Liggiero (Tewksbury, Mass.) started the offensive attack with a shot past second base, she would later score the first run off a junior pitcher Olivia Kenyon (Canton, Mass.) RBI launch to deep right center. Kenyon  and sophomore catcher Alyssa Donovan (West haven, Conn.)  would score the next two runs off a nicely layed bunt by designated player Emily Humphries (Westborough, Mass.) and an error on Bay Path. Humphries would score the final earned run despite a nice double shot by senior infielder Katie Haney (Winchendon, Mass.). Haney and freshman outfielder Naomi Ricciotti (Phoenix, Ariz.) would score the final two unearned runs of the inning.

Donavan and Kenyon would score two more runs to put the Nighthawks into run rule contention. Bay Path would then add a run in the bottom of the fourth. Dougherty would reach home after a double shot to the outfield with Griffith notching the RBI single.

Unfortunately for the Wildcats, this was the only run they could muster in the next two innings. Humphries would send a home run over the right center fence in the sixth to gain the eight run advantage.

Kenyon picked up the win in the opener allowing only one run on five hits, while walking one and fanning five. Dougherty suffered the loss allowing 14 hits and striking out three batters.

In the nightcap, the Nighthawks once again struck first in the top of the sixth. Kenyon and Liggiero would score the lone two runs for Newbury with only Kenyon's earned after a nicely placed sacrifice bunt by Donovan.

This time Bay Path answered in the bottom of the inning scoring two runs to knot the game. Sophomore infielder Kate Sirois (Windsor, Conn.) nailed a double to center field to start the comeback. Chabot would continue the rally with a triple shot to send Sirois home. Junior infielder Marina Rhodes (Providence, R.I.) would plate Chabot off a single to centerfield.

Dougherty would hold the Nighthawks off in the seventh. Griffith would  send senior short stop Emily Serrano (Savoy, Mass.) home to win the game after a line drive double down the left field line.

Dougherty would hurl the second game win going the distance giving up two runs (only one earned) on six hits, fanning two and walking one. Kenyon would suffer the loss giving up three runs on seven hits.

Bay Path is now 9-13 overall and 8-6 in conference play, while Newbury is 14-16 on the season and 10-6 in the NECC.