Softball Takes Down Salem in First Round of MASCAC Tournament, 6-3

SALEM, Mass.— The #6 seeded MCLA Softball team defeated #3 Salem State this afternoon, 6-3 in the first round of the MASCAC Softball Championship Tournament. The Trailblazers improve to 19-18 (6-10 MASCAC) and advance to the quarterfinal double elimination round of the tournament set to begin on Thursday at #1 seed Westfield State.

The visiting Trailblazers grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Hannah Gilbert (1-for-3, RBI) doubled in Hailey Peabody, but the hosts responded in the bottom half scoring three runs of their own. A sacrifice fly by Tara Perryman, an RBI single by Abigail LaClair and RBI triple from Ellie Kleinheinz gave the Vikings a 3-1 advantage after one inning of play.

Trailing 3-2 in the top of the fifth inning following an error that scored Alexandra Espel, a Maggie Closinski (2-for-4, 4 RBI) double would score Nevaeh Lopez (1-for-2, RBI) and Peabody to reclaim the lead for the Trailblazers, 4-3.

MCLA held their slim margin until the top of the seventh when Closinki would deliver again, this time with a 2-RBI base hit which scored Lopez and Hannah Mitchem (2-for-3) to make it 6-3 and ultimately give MCLA its first postseason win since the 2015 MASCAC Championship game, also against Salem State.

Gilbert (W, 8-8) went the distance from the circle, allowing three runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out four batters. Salem State starting pitcher Charlie Benesh (L, 11-4) pitched 6.1 innings allowing six runs (three earned) and two walks along with two strikeouts in the loss.

MCLA Travels to #1 seed Westfield State to take on the Owls Thursday at 3:30pm in the quarterfinal double elimination round of the MASCAC Championship Tournament.

For the latest on MCLA Athletics, follow the Trailblazers on Facebook, Instagram, or X (formerly Twitter).