Softball Splits Non-Conference Doubleheader with Roger Williams

BRISTOL, R.I. – The Mitchell College softball team split a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon against Roger Williams University on Paolino Field. The Mariners topped the Hawks 6-4 early, before falling in the second game by a 5-1 final.

The Mariners (8-12, 4-0 GNAC) will return to Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play on Thursday, April 18th, with a home doubleheader against the University of Saint Joseph.

Game 1 – Mitchell 6, Roger Williams 4

The Mariners took an early lead in the opener of the non-conference twin bill, plating one run in the top of the second when senior Hailey Hill (Griswold, Conn.) drew a bases loaded walk with two outs.

Mitchell made it a two run advantage in the top of third when senior Jena Bennett (Shelton, Conn.) and junior Brooke Whitmarsh (Portsmouth, R.I.) led off the inning with back to back singles, and junior Emma LaBreck (Rollinsford, N.H.) laced an RBI single to left-centerfield. Following a walk to sophomore Olivia DeCicco (Haverhill, Mass.), freshman Brooke Clancy (East Haven, Conn.) reached base on a Roger Williams error which allowed DeCicco to score, pushing the Mitchell lead to 3-0.

Sophomore Cassandra Roman (New London, Conn.) walked with the bases loaded in the fifth to make it a 4-0 game, before the Hawks broke out with four runs to tie the game in the bottom half of the frame, highlighted by RBI singles from Casey Uryga, Hailey Williams, and Kelsey Burr.

Both teams were unable to score in the sixth, but the Mariners jumped ahead for good when the go ahead run came home on an sacrifice bunt by Roman in the top of the seventh, before an insurance run was added when Jenna Bennett singled to centerfield.

Emma LaBreck finished 3-4 with a double, one RBI, and two runs scored for the Mariners. Jenna Bennett went 2-5 with one RBI and one run scored in the win, while Olivia DeCicco tallied two hits, two walks, and scored a run, and Cassandra Roman drove in two.

Mitchell senior Katelyn Lipsky (Planstville, Conn.) improved her record to 4-3 after allowing four runs across seven innings of work, striking out seven.

Natalie Lundari dropped to 3-4 on the season, allowing six runs (four earned) in six and two thing innings in the circle.

Hailey Williams, Kelsey Burr, and Casey Uryga had two hits apiece for Roger Williams in the loss.

Game 2 – Roger Williams 5, Mitchell 1

Game two began as a pitcher's duel, with Mitchell's Emily Reynolds (Somers, Conn.) and righty Keria Quadros of the Hawks each posting four scoreless frames. Quadros helped her own cause by snapping a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth with a two-run RBI infield single, before Shannon Starratt doubles to drive in two more runs.

Emma LaBreck continued her strong day at the plate, singling through the left side to score junior Gemma Landry (Lewiston, ME) in the top of the sixth, but the Mitchell offense was held in check from there.

Caroline Thomas added an RBI double to cap the scoring in the bottom of the sixth.

Kiera Quadros pitched a complete game, shutting down the Mariner offense, holding them to one run, unearned, and striking out seven. Hailey Williams collected three hits for the Hawks in the win, while Shannah Starratt went 2-3 and drove in a pair of runs.

Emily Reynolds surrendered five runs across six innings. Gemma Landry finished with a team-high two hits, while Emma LaBreck went 1-3 with one RBI.