Softball Sweeps USJ, Remains Undefeated in GNAC Play
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Saint Joseph (Conn.) | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
|
Mitchell | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | X | 7 | 12 | 1 |
Game 2
Game 2
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Saint Joseph (Conn.) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 1 |
|
Mitchell | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | 3 | 8 | 0 |
NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College softball team remained unbeaten in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play by sweeping a Friday doubleheader against the University of Saint Joseph.
The Mariners (10-12, 6-0 GNAC) will jump right back into GNAC play on Saturday, April 20th, with a doubleheader at Albertus Magnus College. The Blue Jays (11-19, 3-7 GNAC) face GNAC foe Dean College on the road for two games on Sunday, April 21st,
Game 1 – Mitchell 7, USJ 5
The Mariners used an RBI double by junior Emma LaBreck (Rollinsford, N.H.) to take a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, but the Blue Jays countered with three runs in the bottom of the second after Izzy Milardo drove in a run on a groundout and Emma Carpenter laced a two-run single to centerfield.
Sophomore Lola Worsdale (Stonington, Conn.) tied the game in the bottom of the second, scoring fellow sophomore Cassandra Roman (New London, Conn.) on an RBI double. Following a single by senior Hanna Lemke (East Haddam, Conn.), Worsdale scampered home on a perfectly executed double steal, then Lemke was driven in on a double off the bat of junior Brooke Whitmarsh (Portsmouth, R.I.), pushing the Mariners ahead 5-3.
Once again USJ had an answer in the top of the third, using a two-run double by Jenna Zup to knot the score at 5-5.
Both teams traded scoreless frames across the fourth and fifth inning, before the Mariners jumped ahead for good on an Emma LaBreck sacrifice fly in the top of the sixth, while sophomore Olivia DeCicco (Haverhill, Mass.) added an insurance run with an RBI single.
Hannah Lemke finished with a team-high three hits and scored one run, while LaBreck went 2-2 with a double and three RBI. Jenna Bennett and Brooke Whitmarsh tallied two hits apiece.
Mitchell senior Katelyn Lipsky (Plantsville, Conn.) improved her record to 5-3 on the season after allowing five runs across seven innings, striking out seven.
Emma Carpenter went 2-3 with two RBI and Jenna Zup was 1-2 with two RBI and a run scored for USJ.
Game 2 – Mitchell 3, USJ 1
After a scoreless first inning, Mitchell starting pitcher Emily Reynolds (Somers, Conn.) helped her own cause at the plate, ripping a two-run double to right-centerfield off USJ starter Paige Fekete. The Mariners tacked on another run the following inning when Jenna Bennett singled, stole second, then came around to score after a Brooke Whitmarsh single and an error by the Blue Jays.
USJ began to fight back in the top of the sixth, as Alexis Volinsky and Alyssa Roberts notched back-to-back hits to open the inning, putting runners on the corners. Zup would then step up, hitting a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Volinsky to cross home and cut the gap to 3-1.
The Blue Jays were then able to load the bases, but the Reynolds escaped the jam without surrendering another run. USJ would not get any closer, as Mitchell held the Blue Jays scoreless in the seventh to pick up the doubleheader sweep.
Jenna Bennett and Brooke Whitmarsh had two hits apiece, while Emily Reynolds went 1-3 with two RBI.
Reynolds improved to 4-7 on the spring, twirling one-run complete game, striking out three Blue Jays.
Paige Fekete was the losing pitcher after giving up eight hits and three runs (two earned) in six innings.
