Softball Splits Doubleheader with Bridgewater State

NORTH ADAMS, Mass— The MCLA Softball team split a conference doubleheader this afternoon against visiting Bridgewater State. The Trailblazers took the opening game 1-0 while the Bears came back late to take game two, 3-2. With the split, the Bears move to 15-15 (6-4 MASCAC) while the Trailblazers are now 15-13 (5-5 MASCAC).

Game One                    MCLA 1                           Bridgewater State 0

The opening game proved to be a classic pitcher's duel with both hurlers scattering a combined seven hits, no walks and seventeen strikeouts.  A Maggie Closinski sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first inning that drove in Hailey Peabody (2-for-3) who had tripled, proved to be the winning run.

The Bears' best chance came in the top of the fourth inning when Angelina Lynch singled, stole second and third with no outs. However first year pitcher Hannah Gilbert (W, 7-5) proceeded to strike out the side eliminating the threat on her way to the complete game win.

Bridgewater State's Olivia Hargreaves (L, 3-6), went the distance allowing one run, four hits and no walks while striking out eight batters in the loss. Gilbert's complete game shutout featured nine strikeouts and no walks.

Game Two                     MCLA 2                           Bridgewater State 3

Bridgewater State's Angelina Lynch led off game two with a solo shot over the left field fence to give the visitors an early 1-0 lead. Aggressive baserunning by Peabody in the bottom half led to a pair of fielding errors allowing the Trailblazers to tie the score. Later in the inning a Paxton Ebling  (1-for-2, RBI) double drove in Nevaeh Lopez (1-for-3) putting the hosts up 2-1 after one inning of play.

Both pitchers settled in and there would be no further scoring until the top of the seventh inning. Following Bridgewater's Aubrey Carberry leadoff single to center with one out, former Trailblazer Ella Staffier would single to right and end up on second on the throw to third. A passed ball would advance the runners allowing Carberry to score and place Staffier on third. A Victoria Becker sacrifice fly to right field scored Staffier and gave the Bears a 3-2 lead heading to the bottom half.

Hannah Mitchem led off with a base hit and Peabody followed with a lined shot that seemed destined for of the for the fence. But the left fielder Staffier made a great play robbing her old teammate for the first out. A Lopez single put runners on first and second, but a strikeout throw-out double play ended the game giving Bridgewater the split.

Olyvia Mendonca (W, 5-2) went the distance, allowing two runs (none earned), six hits and two walks while striking out five batters, earning the win for the Bears. MCLA starting pitcher Allie Mienaltowski pitched five strong innings for MCLA allowing one run on two hits and two walks, registering four strikeouts. Gilbert (L, 7-6) finished the game allowing two unearned runs and three hits with four strikeouts in two innings takng the loss.

Both teams continue league play on the road Monday with the Bears heading to Worcester State to take on the Lancers and the Trailblazers travelling to Salem State to battle the Vikings. Both Patriot's Day doubleheaders are scheduled to begin at noon.

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