Softball Celebrates Seniors, Battle Salem State and Lightning

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.— The MCLA Softball team wrapped up its regular season against visiting Salem State today in what was supposed to be a doubleheader. Unfortunately, as it has so often this season, Mother Nature had other plans, forcing the second game to be suspended in the fourth inning and later canceled due to lightning.

The Trailblazers fell to the Vikings 12-5 in the first game finishing their regular season at 12-21 (5-8 MASCAC), earning the #6 seed in next week's MASCAC postseason tournament. With the win, the Vikings claimed the #5 seed finishing 17-18 (5-8 MASCAC).

Game One     Salem State 12     MCLA 5

Already up 1-0, Salem's Gianna Fowler's (3-for-4, 3 HR, 6 RBI) 3-run homer in the top of the 1^st inning put MCLA on their heels right away. The Trailblazers attempted to chip away, scoring one in the bottom of the 2^nd, on a Samantha Wheeler (1-for-3, RBI) RBI double which scored Allee George, and got another back in the 3^rd as Maggie Closinski (1-for-4, RBI) doubled home Maddy Teta (2-for-4, RBI) to cut the deficit to 4-2.

But Fowler struck again leading off the top of the 4^th with a solo shot to make it 5-2. Four more hits and a pair of fielding errors resulted in four more runs putting the Vikings up 9-2.  

After reaching on an error and stealing second, Hailey Peabody (2-for-4) scored on a Teta single in the bottom of the 5^th to make it 9-3. An inning later, Ella Staffier (1-for-4) reached on a bunt, stole second and advanced to third on a Madyson Torres (1-for-3) base hit before scoring on another Viking error. Later in the inning, Alexandra Espel scored MCLA's final run on a fielder's choice to make it 9-5 heading to the 7^th.

A Tara Perryman (3-for-3, 2 RBI) RBI double in the top of the 7^th and  Fowler's third home run, a 2-run shot, put the game away for Salem as they went on to take it, 12-5.

Salem's Gracie Martineau (W, 9-6) went the distance to earn the win, scattering ten hits while allowing three earned runs. MCLA starter Juliana Johansen (L, 8-7) took the loss going 3.2 innings allowing nine hits and five earned runs. Peabody finished the game in the circle for the Trailblazers pitching 3.1 innings allowing four hits and three earned runs while striking out four batters.

Game Two      Canceled

The second game was suspended in the 4^th inning and following a significant delay, ultimately canceled. No make-up game will occur.

MCLA will next travel to #3 seed Worcester State in Tuesday's single game, single elimaintion opening round of the 2025 MASCAC Softball Championship Tournament. The Lancers are the hottest team in the league having won 13 straight games heading into the play-offs. They also are a perfect 12-0 at home this season. However, MCLA swept Worcester in a pair of 6-5 walk-off wins earlier this season at Shewcraft Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6pm.  

Following several attempts this season, each postponed by weather, the Trailblazers were finally able to honor their four seniors (graduate student Maddy Teta, seniors Madyson Torres, Ezmeralda Albright and Veronica Deacon) this morning before the first game.

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