MCLA Drops Two

North Adams, MA – This afternoon MCLA played host to Westfield State College; sweeping their host the Owls currently sit at the top of the MASCAC. Both sides showed solid pitching efforts and runs were at a minimum. MCLA saw the first game slip away 1-0 and the second 3-0.

GAME 1:
Westfield senior pitcher, Chelsea Silvia (South Dartmouth, MA) entered this afternoon’s game with 113 strikeouts. She continued to add to her conference leading totals fanning 16 Trailblazers. Her dominance ended in the 5th inning when MCLA’s leading hitter Rachel Desautels (Readsboro, MA) poked a ball into centerfield taking away the perfect game.

The Owls Jackie Mason (Florida, MA) led off the game with a single through the left side. After a stolen base and two hitters later, Kim Brennan (Douglas, MA) singled up the middle scoring Mason. It was the only run Westfield would need to earn their 15th win of the season. The timing of their run was key as they would go on to strand 11 base runners. The Owls seven hits were spread throughout the rest of the game not really posing a threat to their hosts.

Westfield’s Katie Gorman (Feeling Hills, MA) was the only Owl to connect for two hits off of Hadley Ameen (North Adams, MA). Ameen had a strong outing striking out five.

In the 6th inning the Trailblazers were able to load the bases on three straight singles. Unfortunately, all were stranded and MCLA’s chance to take the lead disappeared. Sylvia would go on to close the MCLA 7th and earn her 11th win of the season.

GAME 2:
Madaline Tomich (Alford, MA) continued on the heels of her fellow hurler; Tomich evened her record at 3-3 throwing a dominating a one-hitter in game two. Her counterpart, Jen McMurray (Margarteville, NY) threw a great game as well, but Mason struck again crossing the plate twice on unearned runs.

Mason led off the third reaching on an error. After aggressive base-running, the senior found herself in scoring position. Alicia Gardner (Athol, MA) singled up the middle driving in the eventual game winner.

In the top half of the 6th, Kerin DeGirolamo (North Attleboro, MA) drove a ball deep to left centerfield fence for an insurance run. Later that inning, Mason would cross the plate for the Owls third and final run of the afternoon.

The MCLA bats were held quiet until the bottom of the 6th when the no-hitter was spoiled by McMurray’s single to right. Jen Levesque (Somerset, MA) came in as a pinch runner and stole second. Unfortunately, the next three batters went down in order.

MCLA will host Springfield College on Wednesday afternoon. Meanwhile, Westfield will travel to Rhode Island College on Thursday.