Softball Splits with Elms

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College softball team split a doubleheader with Elms College on Sunday afternoon in New England Collegiate College action at Alumni Field.

The Mariners (2-5 overall, 1-1 NECC) scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh to walk off with a 5-4 win in the opener. Breanna Gagnon drew a bases-loaded walk to plate the winning run after Samantha DelConte had earlier tied the game by scoring on a wild pitch. 

The Blazers (3-7 overall, 1-1 NECC) responded with eight runs on 10 hits to post an 8-0 victory in the second game. Raeanna Tumel struck out seven batters over 5.0 innings and allowed only three hits to earn the win in the circle.

Mitchell will next play at Dean College on Wednesday, March 29 at 3:30 p.m. Elms returns to action at Westfield State University on Thursday, March 30 at 3:30 p.m.

Game 1 – Mitchell 5, Elms 4

After three scoreless innings, Elms took a 1-0 lead in the fourth on an RBI infield single by Catharine Wrang. Mitchell pulled in front in the fifth, as a single by Megan Elphick tied the game and a two-run double by Danielle Autieri made it 3-1. The Blazers answered with three runs in the sixth, as a two-run triple by Tessa Cote put the visitors back on top 4-3.

DelConte led off the Mitchell seventh with a bunt single and advanced to second base on an error. A pair of wild pitches then brought her home with the tying run. Later, with a runner on base and two outs, the Mariners drew three straight walks to plate the winning run. 

Mitchell starter Taylor Duchesneau gave up four runs on eight hits and struck out three in 7.0 innings. Elms pitcher Jeszy McGuire took the loss after allowing two runs on one hit and walked five over 2.0 innings. 

Game 2 – Elms 8, Mitchell 0 (5 innings)

A sacrifice fly by Erin O'Donnell gave Elms a 1-0 lead in the first inning of the nightcap. The Blazers then broke the game open with a four-run fourth inning, highlighted by RBI doubles from Hannah Adams and Elizabeth Olszewski .

Elms added three more runs in the fifth to open up an 8-0 advantage. O'Donnell got things going with an RBI single while both Adams and Olszewski sacrificed in runs. 

Tumel (1-2 overall) kept the Mariners in check and picked up her first win of the spring. She faced a total of 18 batters in the contest and didn't allow a runner past second base.

Duchesneau (2-4 overall) yielded eight runs (six earned) on 10 hits and walked two.