Lipsky Records 300th Strikeout as Softball Sweeps Pilgrims

HENNIKER, N.H. – The Mitchell College softball team jumped back into New England Collegiate Conference play on Saturday afternoon, sweeping a doubleheader against New England College, 4-1 early then 8-3 in the second game.

The Mariners received great pitching all afternoon and held the Pilgrims to just seven hits total across both games of the twin bill. Junior Katelyn Lipsky (Plantsville, Conn.) was dominant in game one, throwing a seven-inning complete game two hitter, allowing just one run while striking out seven. The seven strikeouts give Lipsky 305 in her career, making her just the third player in program's Division III era to eclipse the 300-strikeout milestone.

The Mariners handed the ball to Hailey Hill (Griswold, Conn.) in the second game and the junior turned in the best performance of her season, working four perfect innings before sophomore Emily Reynolds (Somers, Conn.) came on and pitched the final three frames to preserve the victory.

The Mariners (14-12 overall, 3-1 NECC) will continue conference play on Sunday, April 16, when they host New England College in a doubleheader beginning at 12:00 pm.

Game 1 – Mitchell 4, NEC 1

Lipsky was in total control from the jump in the Mariners first meeting with the Pilgrims this spring. Not only did she surrender just two hits, but the first NEC hit did not come until the bottom of the sixth inning.

The Mitchell bats provided all the support needed, as Gemma Landry (Lewiston, ME) laced a two run single up the middle in the top of the second, Madison Nicynski (Warwick, R.I.) hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth, and Landry drove in another run on an infield single in the sixth. Landry led the Mariners at the plate, finishing 3-4 with three RBI, while Olivia DeCicco (Haverhill, Mass.) and Hannah Lemke (East Haddam, Conn.) each had two hits in the win.

Naomi Medrano took the loss for NEC, allowing four runs and 10 hits in seven innings of work.

Game 2 – Mitchell 8, NEC 3

The Mitchell bats once again provided the team with an early lead in the nightcap, as RBI singles from Sarah Aviles (Griswold, Conn.), Landry, Emily Reynolds, and Brooke Whitmarsh (Portsmouth, R.I.), as well as a Pilgrim error, allowed the Mariners to score six runs in the top of the second.

Aviles would single again the following inning to make it a 7-0 game, before NEC plated three runs in the top of the fourth to make it 7-3. That proved to be all the offense the home team could muster, as Lemke's first home run of the spring capped the scoring in the sixth, and sealed the Mitchell victory. Whitmarsh went 2-4 with a double, three RBI, and a run scored for Mitchell, while seven other Mariners recorded at least one base hit.

Olivia Olson was the tough luck loser in the circle for the Pilgrims, giving up seven runs, one earned, across three innings. Bella Kieran had two hits in the loss.