Bay Path Battles Back for Two Wins on Senior Day

LONGMEADOW, Mass. – Bay Path came from behind in both games of a Sunday New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) doubleheader against Elms earning a 4-2 game one result and an 8-7 extra-inning walk-off victory in game two. 

The Wildcats also celebrated their four seniors – Casey Botelho (Providence, R.I.), Corin Lash-Wheeler (Keene, N.H.), Paige Marshall (New Britain, Conn.), and Anna Meyer (Millbrook, N.Y.) – during their Senior Day festivities.

The sweep improves Bay Path's record to 10-16 (7-7 NECC), while Elms falls to 13-14 (7-5 NECC).

GAME ONE

The Blazers got on the board early as junior outfielder Kacey Gifford (Suffield, Conn.) smashed a two-out solo shot to right centerfield in the first. They would add another in the second with a trio of singles from senior Kierstan Skinner (South Windsor, Conn.), freshman Raeanna Tumel (Stafford, Conn.), and sophomore Elizabeth Olszewski (Canterbury, Conn.).

That would be all the offense would muster, however, as freshman right-hander Madison Goodhart (Pawtucket, R.I.) settled in after that. She threw seven innings and allowed seven hits, while striking out eight and walking none.

Her counterpart, Tumel, was equally impressive in the circle for the visitors as she held the Wildcats scoreless for the first four innings.

The Bay Path offense got going in the fifth as Marissa Sarna-McCarthy (Westhampton, Mass.) opened the inning with a double, becoming the first Wildcat to reach second base in the game. She would come around the score the first run for the hosts as Marshall reached on an error. The big knock came three batters later as Lauren Vallee (Bristol, Conn.) sent a big fly to right center to give Bay Path the lead.

Goodhart earned the win as she shut the Blazers down for the final two innings and Tumel took the loss.

GAME TWO

Elms got off to a strong start offensively in game two putting up a four-spot against Goodhart in the first. Freshman Keyla Oliveras (Springfield, Mass.) got everything started with a leadoff double. After Catharine Wrang (Middletown, Conn.) sacrificed her into scoring position, Gifford would drive her in with a triple. She would cross the plate two batters later on a passed ball. The Blazers tacked on two more with an RBI single by Skinner and by taking advantage of a Wildcat miscue in centerfield.

Pitching was a strength again for the guests early on. Junior Tessa Cote (Granby, Mass.) got the start and held Bay Path to just two hits and one run over the first five innings.

With Elms leading 5-1 in the bottom the sixth, the Bay Path bats came alive in a big way. They got three back with a pair of long bombs. First Vallee led off the inning with a solo shot. After a Katrina Peck (Newington, Conn.) single, Goodhart helped her own cause by sending a two-run homer to left center.

Goodhart held the Blazers scoreless in the seventh leaving the home team down one heading into the bottom of the inning. Cote got the first two outs quickly, but then walked Vallee. Meyer then sent a single to left to keep the Wildcats' hopes alive. Peck then came through with an RBI knock to tie the game.

In extra-innings, Gifford and freshman Tea Sullivan (Dracut, Mass.) both doubled to give the Blazers the two-run lead and putting Bay Path's back against the wall again.

They got one back right as Sarna-McCarthy's single was misplaced in centerfield allowing Peck, who was placed on second, to score. Botelho followed that up with a single setting up a first and third situation. Junior Jackie Lafleur (Gill, Mass.) pinch-hit and grounded out to third, but aggressive base running by Sarna-McCarthy allowed the hosts to tie the score at seven.

Sarna-McCarthy would come through again in the ninth, driving in Peck for the walk-off win.

Goodhart earned the win going all nine and striking out five. Cote, who also had five strikeouts, took the loss.

Next up for the Wildcats is a home doubleheaders against Becker on Tuesday, April 19. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30. The Blazers remain on the road as they play a conference doubleheader against Newbury starting a 5 p.m. on Tuesday.