Softball offense carries them to sweep over Lasell
Erika Quackenbush had a solid offensive day including a home run in MCLA's sweep of Lasell this afternoon
Waltham, MA- The MCLA offense exploded for 32 hits in leading the Trailblazers to a sweep over the Lasell College Lasers this afternoon in non league action. MCLA held off Lasell 5-4 in the opener and then pulled away late in an 11-6 win in game two. The Trailblazers are now 5-15 overall while the Lasers fall to 3-13.
Game One: MCLA 5 - Lasell 4
In the opening game, MCLA jumped out to a 3-0 lead after two and a half innings. Kaitlin Berghela doubled home Kara Adams in the first inning for an early 1-0 advantage. Adams would then single home Cassie Crosier in the second inning to increase the lead to 2-0.
In the top of the third, Erika Quackenbush homered to center field making it 3-0 in favor of MCLA. Lasell would tie things up with three runs of their own off MCLA starter Sam Feinstein to tie it up at 3-3.
The Trailblazers and Lasers would trade runs in the fifth frame before MCLA finally edged in front in the sixth. Kaylyn Holliday lofted a sacrifice fly to left field that scored Berghela on a close play at the plate to give the visitors a 5-4 lead.
Feinstein would make it stand as she stranded the tying run on base to earn the win. She went the distance and scattered 8 hits and struck out a pair of Lasell hitters.
Offensively, MCLA pounded out 14 hits in the opener. Berghela went 3-4 in the win. Nevada Nelsen also ended with three safeties. Adams, Alanza Quinones, and Feinstein each added two hits apiece.
Game Two: MCLA 11 - Lasell 6
Once again the MCLA offense started hot and staked starting pitcher Morgan Watson to an early lead. Quackenbush singled home Berghela in the first for a 1-0 lead and when Adams brought home two more in the second, MCLA led 3-0.
Lasell would get a run back in the bottom of the second, but Kaylyn Holliday ripped a two run double to increase the lead to 5-1. The Lasers would score four times in the fourth off of Watson to tie things up at 5-5, but the MCLA offense would take command again.
Over the next two innings, MCLA scored three runs to take the lead for keeps. Trinity Shellard's RBI groundout gave MCLA the lead for keeps and made it 6-5. Nelsen and Quinones picked up RBI's to increase the lead to 8-5.
Holliday and Quackenbush collected RBI's in the seventh to increase the lead to 11-5. Watson allowed a solo home run in the seventh, but eventually closed out her first win and complete game of the season.
Watson scattered 10 hits and struck out two batters to earn the win. Quackenbush went 4-5 in the nightcap with three RBI's. Holliday, Nelsen, and Kayla Baker added three hits. The MCLA offense notched 18 hits in the win.
The Trailblazers will head to Fitchburg State on Saturday as they resume MASCAC action.