Softball Sweeps Daniel Webster

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College softball team picked up 8-1 and 16-5 wins over Daniel Webster College on Sunday afternoon in New England Collegiate Conference action at Alumni Field.

Taylor Duchesneau got the start for Mitchell in the opener and struck out a career-high 10 batters. She also went 1-for-3 at the plate with two RBI. Suzanne Vachon got the starting nod in the nightcap and struck out five while adding two hits at the dish.

Mitchell (7-6 overall, 3-1 NECC) will next host Lesley University on Monday, April 3 at 3 p.m. Daniel Webster (1-6 overall, 1-3 NECC) returns to action at Elms College on Saturday, April 8 at 3 p.m.

Game 1 – Mitchell 8, Daniel Webster 1

Mitchell, which batted as the visiting team, plated a pair of runs in the top of the second. A DWC error yielded the game's first run while a double steal brought in the second.

The Mariners made it 3-0 in the fifth on an RBI single to center by Duchesneau. She kept the Eagles off the scoreboard until the sixth when a single by Katelyn Banta scored Elaina Chambers.

Mitchell broke the game open with five runs in the seventh. An RBI single by Danielle Autieri and an RBI double by Italia Krick highlighted the rally as the Mariners pumped the lead to 8-1.

Duchesneau retired the side in order in the seventh to seal the win, improving to 5-5 on the year. She allowed one run on seven hits over 7.0 innings.

DWC starter Amber Roberts allowed eight runs (four earned) on six hits and struck out five.

Game 2 – Mitchell 16, Daniel Webster 5 (5 innings)

After going hitless in the opener, Samantha DelConte went 5-for-5 with a double, two triples, six RBI and two runs scored to pace the Marines in the second game. Vachon, in addition to improving to 2-1 inside the circle, went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI.  

Mitchell scored seven runs in both the second and third innings and never looked back. The 16 runs tied a season high for the Mariners, who also finished with 16 hits in the contest. 

Skyler Evans had two hits—including a solo homer in the fifth—to lead the Eagles. Roberts got the starting nod once again and surrendered seven runs (six earned) on six hits in 2.0 innings of work.