Softball Swept at Salem State

SALEM, Mass.— The MCLA Softball team was swept in a MASCAC doubleheader this afternoon at Salem State. The Vikings improve to 23-10 (10-2 MASCAC) while the Trailblazers drop to 15-15 (5-7 MASCAC).

Game One       MCLA 1       Salem State 3

Following a leadoff base hit by Maggie Closinski (2-for-3) and a double by Paxton Ebling (1-for-2), a Samantha Wheeler groundball to first would drive in Closinski and give MCLA an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning.

The Trailblazers maintained their slim lead until the bottom of the sixth inning. However, Salem finally broke through tying the game thanks to two stolen bases by Abby Richardson and an RBI single by Samantha Gaonna-Sullivan. Later in the frame, RBI hits by Abigail LeClair and Ellie Kleinheinz gave the Vikings a 3-1 lead.

With two outs in the top of the seventh, MCLA's Hannah Mitchem would reach on an error, and a Hailey Peabody (2-for-4) single put runners at the corners, but the Trailblazers were unable to capitalize, ultimately dropping the opener, 3-1.

Salem State starting pitcher Charlie Benesh (W, 10-2) went the distance allowing one run on six hits and two walks while striking out four batters to earn the complete game win. MCLA's Hannah Gilbert took the loss (L, 7-7) pitching 5.1 innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out two Vikings.   

Game Two      MCLA  6       Salem State   9

Salem State jumped out early in game two, posting three runs on RBI hits by Gaona-Sullivan, Alanis Toledano and Ellie Kleinheinz in the bottom of the first.

MCLA answered with one of their own in the top of the third when Alexandra Espel (2-for-3) doubled in Nevaeh Lopez (2-for-4) to cut the deficit to 3-1. But the Vikings would add two more runs in both the bottom of the third and fourth innings to swell the lead to 7-1.

The Trailblazers came charging back in the top of the sixth, scoring five runs, while taking advantage of four Salem State errors to cut the lead to 7-6. Samantha Wheeler's leadoff double and Hannah Gilbert's RBI double would be the only two hits of the inning.   

In the bottom half of the sixth, the Vikings added two more runs to make it 9-6. Toledano, who had come it to pitch in the sixth, retired the Trailblazers in order in the seventh to preserve the win and sweep.

Salem's Gracie Martineau (W, 7-2) earned the win allowing six runs on ten hits with three strikeouts in 5.1 innings pitched. Toledano (S, 3) closed out the game earning her third save of the season. MCLA's Allie Mienaltowski (L, 6-7) took the loss going the distance, allowing nine runs (six earned) on eleven hits and two walks while striking out three batters.

Both teams go outside the conference this week before returning to league play next weekend. The Vikings head to Mitchell College on Tuesday while the Trailblazers host Skidmore College on Thursday with first pitch of game one scheduled for 3:30pm.

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