Softball Falls in NECC Championship Title Round

WESTON, Mass. – Mitchell College advanced to the title round of the 2014 New England Collegiate Conference Softball Championship on Saturday afternoon before falling to top-seeded Lesley University by a 4-2 final.

Lesley claimed its sixth straight NECC title and earned the NECC's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Softball Championship for the fourth straight season. Mitchell made its first appearance in the title round since 2009.

The third-seeded Mariners began the day with an elimination game against Regis College, winning by a 4-0 final behind a complete game shutout by freshman pitcher Brittany Fiederlein. Mitchell finished with only three hits off Regis starter Katie Cuozzo but benefitted from five errors from the Pride.

Game 8: Mitchell 4, Regis 0

In the first game of the day, Mitchell knocked out Regis as Fiederlein scattered eight hits while striking out one. Cuozzo also went the distance for the Pride, giving up just three hits and one earned run while striking out three and walking none.

The Mariners took advantage of an error in the top of the first inning when a Shannon O'Neil single through the right side scored Lindsey Romagnino, who reached on a fielder's choice before advancing into scoring position on an errant throw in the Pride infield.

The run proved to be all Fiederlein would need, but the Mariners struck for two more in the top of the second when Alexandra Blanchette singled home Samantha Ryan and then came around one batter later on another Regis error.

After Mitchell tacked on a final insurance run in the fifth inning, Regis had its best chance of the day in the bottom of the sixth. Jenna Casello led off the inning with a single and moved to second a sacrifice bunt by Rachel DesRochers. Following an infield pop-up, Casello moved to third base when Alyssa McKinnon sent a single through the right side, but Fiederlein escaped the inning unscathed by getting a fly ball to left field.

Blanchette finished 1-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI while O'Neil went 1-for-3 and drove in a run.

Game 9: Lesley 4, Mitchell 2

Lesley's Alyson Nisbet threw a complete game and allowed just seven hits and two runs (one earned) while striking out eight to clinch the victory. Nisbet was remarkably efficient as she walked just one and threw 76 of her 102 pitches for strikes.

Sarah Apgar powered the offense with a two-run home run while Angela Mukai finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Nicole Mercurio also finished with two hits while Maria Nazzaro picked up an RBI. 

Ryan finished 2-for-3 with a double while Romagnino went 1-for-3 with an RBI in the loss.

The Lynx opened up the scoring in the top of the first inning when Mercurio sent a double to deep left field, allowing Mekenzi Golden to score all the way from first.

Mitchell answered right back in the bottom of the inning. Sophomore Rivkah Berkman led off with a walk before moving to second on a sacrifice bunt and to third on a wild pitch. Berkman then tied the game when she crossed the dish following an RBI double by Romagnino.

Mukai led off the top of the second with a single to center and moved to second on a pass ball. With one out in the inning, Apgar belted her first home run of the season over the left-center fence to give the Lynx a 3-1 lead that they would not relinquish.

Lesley added another run in the top of the fourth as Mukai crossed the plate for the second time in the game, scoring on a single to left by Nazzaro.

The Mariners cut into the Lynx lead in the bottom of the fifth. Blanchette started the inning with a single to left and scored all the way from first on a Jenny Groman single that was misplayed in the Lynx outfield. Groman advanced all the way to third on the play.

However, Mitchell saw its rally come to an abrupt end when Nisbet forced a pop-up into foul ground, and catcher Allison Fountain doubled-up the runner at third base to escape the jam.
Nisbet retired the side in order in the sixth and seventh to seal the 4-2 win for the Lynx.

Following the game, Apgar was named NECC Tournament MVP. The senior finished the weekend going 5-for-10 with three RBI, two doubles and a home run to lead the Lynx. Joining her on the team from Lesley was classmate Allison Fountain and freshman Alyson Nisbet.
 
Ryan, Fiederlein and O'Neil were named to the team from Mitchell.

2014 NECC SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

Sarah Apgar, Lesley University – Tournament MVP
Allison Fountain, Lesley University
Alyson Nisbet, Lesley University
Brittany Fiederlein, Mitchell College
Shannon O'Neil, Mitchell College
Samantha Ryan, Mitchell College
Katie Cuozzo, Regis College
Alyssa McKinnon, Regis
Alyssa Donovan, Newbury
Olivia Kenton, Newbury