Softball Edged by Elms in Conference Twinbill

LONGMEADOW, Mass. - The Bay Path University softball team fell to host Elms College in a pair of New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) tilts at Ryan Field Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats dip to 7-13 overall and 0-8 in conference play, while the Blazers improved to 5-1 in the NECC and 7-13 on the season.

GAME 1: Elms 5, Bay Path 4

The Blazers grabbed a 2-0 lead in the opening game as junior Katelyn Silvia (Southwick, Mass.) came around to score and then freshman Sofie Oliviera (Windsor Locks, Conn.) knocked an RBI single. Elms extended their advantage in the second inning on an RBI single from senior Madison Messier (Warren, Mass.) to make it 3-0.

The Wildcats pulled even with a three-run fourth inning, kicked off with an RBI sac fly from freshman Meghan Connors (Pawtucket, R.I.), followed by an RBI groundout from sophomore Noelle Bisignano (Cranston, R.I.) to trim the gap to 3-2. Bay Path senior Madison Goodhart (Pawtucket, R.I.) evened the score at 3-3 with an RBI single, scoring senior Marissa Sarna-McCarthy (Southampton, Mass.).

The Blazer regained a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the frame on an RBI single from senior Lisa Lusardi (Enfield, Conn.). The Wildcats responded in the fifth inning with an RBI single from senior Katrina Peck (Newington, Conn.) to knot the score at 4-4. Following a scoreless sixth inning, the Blazers secured the 5-4 victory with a walk-off RBI single from Silvia in the bottom of the seventh.

Goodhart took the loss in the pitching circle, allowing five runs on 11 hits with two strikeouts. Lusardi tossed a complete game for the Blazers, surrendering four runs on nine hits with four strikeouts.

GAME 2: Elms 6, Bay Path 3

Elms jumped to a two-run lead in the first inning behind RBI singles from Messier and Lusardi. The Wildcats closed the deficit to 2-1 in the third inning with an RBI sac fly from Sarna-McCarthy. The Blazers loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth with a walk to Sylvia and singles from senior Catharine Wrang (Middletown, Conn.) and Messier, and then Lusardi cleared them with a three-run double to right field, extending the Elms advantage to 5-1.

Bay Path threatened with rallies in the fifth and sixth inning but only produced two runs on an RBI bases loaded walk to Sarna-McCarthy, followed by an RBI sac fly from Vance as the WIldcats fell to the Blazers, 6-3.

Vance suffered the loss in the circle, giving up six runs on 13 hits with two strikeouts. Elms senior Raeanna Tumel (Stafford, Conn.) earned the win, allowing two runs, one earned, on five hits with four strikeouts, while Lusardi earned the save, scattering one run on three hits with two strikeouts in three innings of relief.

The Wildcats will look to return to the win column with an NECC road trip to New England College Sunday afternoon. Elms will host Lesley in conference action Sunday afternoon.