Softball Opens Season with Split vs. RWU

NEW LONDON, Conn. – Mitchell College and Roger Williams University split a pair of one-run games on Saturday in a non-conference softball showdown to open the 2021 season.

The Mariners walked off with a 5-4 win in the opener, with Katelyn Lipsky drawing a bases-loaded walk in the eighth inning to force home the winning run. In the nightcap, the Hawks rallied to score two runs in the seventh and held on for a 2-1 victory.

Mitchell (1-1 overall) will next play at Johnson & Wales University on Wednesday, March 17 at 4 p.m. No spectators are permitted. Roger Williams (1-1 overall) returns to action against Anna Maria College on Wednesday, March 17 at 2:30 p.m.

Game 1 – Mitchell 5, Roger Williams 4 (8 innings)

Mitchell jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning with the aid of five walks, two of which forced in runs. Laurissa Amaker then added an RBI double in the third as the Mariners increased the margin to 3-0.

The Hawks got on the scoreboard in the fourth thanks to an RBI single by Katrina Goria. In the fifth, Roger Williams edged even closer as an RBI triple by Jax Beaulieu cut the deficit to 3-2. However, Amaker tripled in the bottom of the frame to knock in another run and give the Mariners some breathing room. 

Mitchell took the 4-2 advantage into the seventh, and Lipsky had the Hawks down to their final strike before momentum shifted. Beaulieu got things started with a single to left, and Sydney Provencal followed with a base hit through the left side. A Mitchell error then made it a 4-3 game, and Goria followed with a single up the middle to tie the score at 4-4.

Lipsky kept the Hawks off the scoreboard in the eighth, and after the Mariners loaded the bases in the home half, she drew a walk to force in the winning run. In the process, she also picked up the first RBI and victory of her collegiate career.

Lipsky allowed four runs (one earned) on eight hits and struck out eight over eight innings.

Game 2 – Roger Williams 2, Mitchell 1

Runs were hard to come by in the nightcap as both teams got solid pitching performances. Three RWU pitchers combined for eight strikeouts and limited the Mariners to one run on six hits. Lia Nocella earned the win in relief, tossing 2.0 shutout innings.

Mitchell starter Hailey Hill took the loss in her collegiate debut. She allowed two runs on eight hits and struck out four.

The Mariners went on top 1-0 in the fourth on an RBI single by Hill and held the lead until the seventh. The Hawks then got three straight hits to start the frame, with a double by Kasey Ruo bringing home the tying run. Isabelle Rosado followed with a ground ball to the shortstop that plated the go-ahead run.  

Mitchell put two runners on base in the home half of the seventh but couldn't push across the tying run.