Softball Earns Split at Wesleyan in Extras

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – The Mitchell College softball team came away with a wild doubleheader split at Wesleyan University on Wednesday afternoon, falling 6-1 in the opener before pulling out a 5-3, extra-inning victory in the nightcap.

The second game was the highlight for the Mariners, who picked up their first-ever win over Wesleyan. Starting pitcher Emily Reynolds limited the Cardinals to just one run over the first 8.0 innings, keeping the game locked at 1-1 until the Mariners struck for four runs in the top of the ninth. Nene Capeles plated the go-ahead run with a single to left field to spark the rally.

Mitchell (13-15 overall) will next play at New England College on Saturday, April 23 at noon.

Game 1 – Wesleyan 6, Mitchell 1

Mitchell fell behind 1-0 in the first inning but tied things up in the third. A double by Gemma Landry and an infield single by Hannah Lemke set the table, and Jenna Bennett plated the run with a sacrifice fly to center.

The Cardinals responded with three runs in the bottom of the third to retake the lead. Wesleyan then tacked on two insurance runs in the fourth, but starter Revi Brown didn't need the extra support. She allowed just three hits over the final 4.0 innings en route to the win.

Katelyn Lipsky took the loss for the Mariners, surrendering six runs on 10 hits while walking five and striking out two.

Game 2 – Mitchell 5, Wesleyan 3 (9 innings)

Reynolds gave up a two-out, RBI double to Bella Secaira-Cotto in the first inning as Wesleyan jumped out to another quick lead. This time Mitchell tied the game in the second, with Capeles drawing a walk and later scoring on an error.

The 1-1 score held up as Reynolds and Brooklin Williams kept runners off base and runs off the scoreboard. Wesleyan stranded a runner in scoring position in the fourth, and in the sixth Mitchell had a runner at third with one out but couldn't bring her home. The Mariners also got a runner to third in the seventh but couldn't break the stalemate.

After both sides went down in order in the eighth, Mitchell finally got the bats going in the ninth. The Mariners pushed across three runs before the first out was even recorded, as RBI singles by Capeles, Reynolds and Landry made it 4-1. Bennett later tacked on the fourth RBI single of the frame to pad the margin to 5-1.

The Cardinals got back two runs in the home half of the ninth and brought the winning run to the plate with one out. However, Reynolds buckled down to get a fly ball and a strikeout to end it, giving the Mariners their first-ever win over their NESCAC foe.

Reynolds pitched all 9.0 innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on nine hits and struck out three without issuing a walk. She improved to 8-6 on the season.