Softball Takes Two from Lesley in NECC Doubleheader

LEXINGTON, Mass. – The Mitchell College softball team jumped back into New England Collegiate Conference play on Saturday afternoon and coasted to a doubleheader sweep against Lesley University, taking the opener 10-0 before routing the Lynx in the nightcap 18-9.

Junior pitcher Katelyn Lipsky (Plantsville, Conn.) was dominant in the circle during the first game, throwing five shutout innings of one hit ball. Hailey Hill (Griswold, Conn.) then came out of the bullpen to close the door, working a scoreless fifth inning.

The Mariner bats struck early and often in support of Emily Reynolds (Somers, Conn.), who turned in a great performance in the second game of the twin bill, surrendering just three runs over six innings of work to improve her record to 5-5 on the season.

The Mariners (12-10 overall, 3-1 NECC) will jump back into action on Wednesday, April 12, when they travel across town for a non-conference doubleheader against the Coast Guard Academy.

Game 1 – Mitchell 10, Lesley 0

The Mariners broke open a 1-0 game in the third inning of the first contest, plating four runs on an RBI single by Brooke Whitmarsh (Portsmouth, R.I.) and a two run home run off the bat of Emma LaBreck (Rollinsford, N.H). Mitchell pushed another run across in the fourth before adding four more in the bottom of the sixth, bringing the game to an early end via the mercy rule.

Whitmarsh, Labreck, Sarah Aviles, Hannah Lemke all had multiple hits for the Mariners, while Whitmarsh drove in a team-high three runs.

Emma Hodgkins was the losing pitcher, allowing 10 runs in six innings of work.

Game 2 – Mitchell 18, Lesley 9

The Mariners dominated in the second game, answering two first inning runs by the Lynx with four of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Mitchell then added three runs in the second, before eight runs in the top of the seventh propelled the game out of reach.

Madison Nicynski (Warwick, R.I.) went 1-3 with two RBI for the Mariners, collecting the 100^th hit of her career. Emily Reynolds also had a big day at the plate to help her own cause, finishing 2-5 with three RBI and three runs scored. Kayla Goins (Lebanon, Conn.), Chase Bonnin (Norwich, Conn.), Gemma Landry (Lewiston, ME), LaBreck, and Reynolds all registered multi-hit games, while LaBreck drove in a team-high four runs in the win.

Sophia Santos dropped to 0-6 on the year after allowing 12 earned runs in six and two third innings. Holly Swinamer went 4-4 to lead the Lynx at the plate, while Mahlia Medina, Antonia Kieran, Mia Santilli each drove two in the loss.