USJ Takes Two From Softball

HARTFORD, Conn. -- The Mitchell College softball team lost a pair of games at the University of Saint Joseph on Thursday afternoon, falling by scores of 8-1 and 9-1 in non-conference play at the USJ Softball Field.

Mitchell (7-14 overall) will next play at Newbury College on Saturday, April 15 at 3 p.m.

Game 1: Saint Joseph 8, Mitchell 1

USJ pitcher Nathalia Vega held the Mariners to only four hits in the opener. The Blue Jays gave her plenty of run support right off the bat, plating six runs in the bottom of the first inning.

Mitchell's lone run came in the third on a two-out, RBI single by Megan Elphick that scored Nia Brown. Brown paced the Mariners with two hits in the contest while Suzanne Vachon added a double.

Mitchell starter Taylor Duchesneau allowed eight runs (four earned) on 12 hits and struck out two.

Game 2: Saint Joseph 9, Mitchell 1 (6 innings)

The second game was close until the Blue Jays broke open a 2-1 game with a seven-run sixth inning. Mitchell fell behind 1-0 in the first inning but answered with a run in the second to tie the game. Italia Krick led off the frame with a single and scored on a double to left by Danielle Autieri.

Vachon got the starting nod in the circle and kept the Blue Jays in check until the sixth. USJ scored seven runs on six hits in the frame to end the game via the eight-run rule.

Elphick and Krick each finished with two hits to lead the Mariners. Vachon, who yielded nine runs (five earned) on 16 hits, also picked up her second double of the day at the plate.