Softball Blanks Wheelock in Doubleheader Sweep

Softball Blanks Wheelock in Doubleheader Sweep

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College softball team extended its winning streak to eight games with 8-0 and 10-0 victories over Wheelock College on Saturday afternoon in New England Collegiate Conference play at Alumni Field.

Mitchell starting pitchers Taylor Duchesneau and Shyla Phillips-Krick combined to allow only five hits on the day. The shutout was the third of the season for Duchesneau and the second for Phillips-Krick, and each improved to 4-3 in the circle.

Stephanie Adams went 4-for-6 with three RBI and a run scored to pace the Mitchell offense. Italia Krick and Danielle Autieri finished with three hits apiece, including a pair of doubles for each.

Mitchell (8-6 overall, 4-0 NECC) will next play at Rhode Island College on Wednesday, April 4 at 4 p.m. Wheelock (0-14 overall, 0-4 NECC) returns to action at home against Curry College on Monday, April 2 at 3 p.m.

Game 1 – Mitchell 8, Wheelock 0 (5 innings)

An RBI single by Adams gave Mitchell a 1-0 lead in the first inning. The Mariners added three more runs in the second, as a two-run single by Suzanne Vachon was followed by another RBI single by Adams to extend the lead to 4-0.

Back-to-back doubles by Autieri and Krick set the table for a four-run Mitchell third. A Wheelock error allowed a run to score and extended the frame, and Samantha DelConte and Vachon each followed with RBI singles to make it 8-0.

Duchesneau took a perfect game into the fourth inning before Kathy Ochoa ruined the bid with a single to left. A double by Rachael Simpson then put two runners in scoring position for the Wildcats, but a diving grab by Krick in left field ended the inning and kept the visitors off the scoreboard.

Duchesneau struck out three and didn't issue a walk in 5.0 innings of work. Ochoa (0-9 overall) pitched 4.0 innings and struck out two for the Wildcats.

Game 2 – Mitchell 10, Wheelock 0 (5 innings)

Mitchell exploded for all 10 runs in the opening inning to take control of the game early. The first 10 batters all reached base safely, and the Mariners chased the Wheelock starter before a single out was recorded. Seven players drove in a run in the frame, including two each for Krick, Autieri and Megan Elphick.

Wheelock loaded the bases with two outs in the second inning but couldn't get a runner home. Phillips-Krick worked out of the jam by getting a ground ball to Elphick at third to end the threat.

Phillips-Krick cruised to the finish and allowed only three hits while striking out two.