Softball Eliminated from NECC Tournament with Loss to NEC

REVERE, Mass. – The second-seeded Mitchell College softball team was eliminated from the NECC tournament on Saturday night, suffering a 2-1 defeat at the hands of third-seeded New England college after routing fourth-seeded Lesley University 7-0 earlier in the day at Griswold Park in Revere, Massachusetts.

The Mariners dominated the opener, riding the arm of starting pither Emily Reynolds (Somers, Conn.), who tossed five innings of one hit-ball, before junior Hailey Hill (Griswold, Conn.) came out of the bullpen to work two innings of one-hit ball herself.

Reynolds turned in another strong start in the second game of the day for Mitchell, surrendering two runs, one earned, in seven innings of work. Unfortunately, the Pilgrims struck late and were able to escape with their second win over the Mariners in as many days, punching their ticket to the NECC championship, which is scheduled to be held on Sunday, May 7.

The Mariners wrap up their season with a program record 24 wins and 19 losses.

Game 1 – Mitchell 7, Lesley 0

With the Mitchell starting pitcher duo of Reynolds and Hill allowing two total hits in the game, the Mariner bats provided more than enough support in the bottom of the first when Brooke Taylor (Montville, Conn.) ripped an RBI single to right field. Jenna Bennett (Shelton, Conn.) added a run scoring single of her own in the third inning, before the Mariners plated two runs in the fifth and three more in the sixth.

Bennett finished 3-3 with two RBI and two runs scored, while Hannah Lemke (East Haddam, Conn.) was 2-4 with two RBI. Brooke Whitmarsh (Portsmouth, R.I.) and Lola Worsdale (Stonington, Conn.) added two hits apiece. Gemma Landry (Lewiston, ME) chipped in with a double and scored two runs for the Mariners, who improved to 5-0 against the Lynx this season.

Game 2 – NEC 2, Mitchell 1

After three scoreless frames, the Mariners drew first blood when freshman Cassandra Roman (New London, Conn.) hit an RBI double. The Pilgrims knotted the score in the bottom of the sixth when Emma Lopez reached on a fielder's choice, driving in one run.

Following back to back singles in the top of the seventh inning, NEC finally jumped ahead on an RBI single off the bat of Emily Gagne. Pilgrim starter Houstyn McConaghy returned to the mound in the bottom half of the inning nursing a one run lead and closed the door, retiring the Mariners one-two-three.

McConaghy allowed just one run in seven innings, while Ashleigh Lemay was 2-3 for NEC at the plate.

The third-seeded Pilgrims will battle top-seeded Eastern Nazarene College for the NECC title on Sunday, May 7, with first pitch scheduled for 1:30 pm at Griswold Park.