Softball Opens Conference Play with Sweep over Fitchburg State
MCLA began its 2026 MASCAC season with a sweep over visiting Fitchburg State this afternoon at Shewcraft Field.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass— The MCLA Softball team won its tenth straight game today and remain unbeaten at home after sweeping Fitchburg State 8-0 (5 innings) and 12-7 in the Trailblazers' MASCAC season opening games. With today's results Fitchburg State drops to 3-15 (0-4 MASCAC) while MCLA is now 11-7 (2-0 MASCAC).
Game One- MCLA 8 Fitchburg State 0 (5 innings)
MCLA took advantage of four walks, an error and a timely Alexandra Espel (2-for-3, 2 RBI) base hit that drove in Paxton Ebling and Hannah Gilbert (2-for-2, RBI) to give the Trailblazers a 4-0 lead after one.
Following a two-out Nevaeh Lopez (1-for-4, RBI) triple, an RBI double by Maggie Closinski (1-for-3, RBI) and a Gilbert single to right, the hosts stretched their lead to 6-0 after two.
The Trailblazers would end things in the fifth as a bases loaded Peabody single and subsequent Closinski bunt gave MCLA the 8-0 win in 5-innings.
Allie Mienaltowski (W, 5-3) threw a four-hit, five-inning complete game shutout striking out a pair of Falcons earning the win, while Fitchburg's Madison Solt (L,1-7) endured the loss.
Game Two- MCLA 12 Fitchburg State 7
Fitchburg State struck first in the second game posting three runs in the top of the third inning. The Falcons scattered four hits including a Paige Konopka single which scored Ariana Baez and Jessica Mueller to make 3-0.
MCLA got one back in the bottom half when Nevaeh Lopez (2-for-5, RBI) scored on a Hannah Gilbert sacrifice fly but Fitchburg answered with a run of their own in the top half of the fourth to make it 4-1.
The visitors added two more in the fifth to make it 6-1 but the Trailblazers came storming back to take an 8-6 lead thanks to aggressive baserunning, a pair of errors and clutch RBI hits by Paxton Ebling (2-for-4, RBI) , Amelia Leasure (2-for-3, RBI) and Alexandra Espel (2-for-4, 3 RBI).
Following another run by Fitchburg in the sixth, base hits by Espel, Mitchem and Peabody in the bottom half would result in four more runs to make it 12-7 and ultimately give MCLA's its tenth straight win.
MCLA's Hannah Gilbert (W, 5-2) earned the win allowing nine hits, two walks and five runs while striking out four batters. Allie Mienaltowski (S, 1) pitched two runs in relief earning her first save of the season. Fitchburg State's Alison Hazel (L, 0-2) allowed six runs and five walks in four innings taking the loss.
Both teams continue league play on the road Tuesday with the Falcons heading to Westfield State and the Trailblazers travelling to Paxton to take on Anna Maria. Both twin bills are scheduled to begin at 3pm.
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