MCLA Clinches First Round Bye With Victory over Vikings

The MCLA softball took care of what needed to be done today and that was win at least one game versus the visiting Vikings of Salem State.

The 6-1 victory in game one has guaranteed that MCLA will be the #2 seed in the upcoming MASCAC conference tournament when the bracket comes out later tonight. The Trailblazers have earned a first round bye and will await their opponent in the semi-finals later in the week.

The Trailblazers (12-18, 9-5) ended the drama early, scoring four times in the bottom of the second inning off Salem starter Francesca Perreault.  Sierra Bailey doubled home Angelica Perfido with one out. The Trailblazers would do most of the damage in the inning with two outs however. Back to back doubles by Amanda Meczywor and Michaela DiNicola and later a single off the bat of starting pitcher Rachel Quackenbush quickly pushed the lead to 4-0 MCLA.

Quackenbush was in control from there; Quackenbush went the distance and allowed just one run, while striking-out nine.

Salem State's lone run came in the third inning when Marisa Sanchez brought in Jen Crovo who doubled with two outs in the inning.

MCLA had a thirteen hit attack in game one with Bailey leading the way. Bailey doubled and tripled, scored two runs and drove in two. DiNicola, Perfido and Julie Watson all had two hits apiece.

Quackenbush pushes her record over .500 as she is now 7-6 on the season.  Perreault falls to 8-5 on the season.

Game two both teams were playing out the string as both MCLA and Salem were locked into their spot for the final standings.

Game two was a low scoring affair as Salem (19-15, 8-6) got two in the fifth and one in the seventh. In the top of the fifth Bobbie Dee Regan led off with a single and Meghan Black followed one-out later with a single of her own, putting runners on the corners. Marissa Peri would single in Regan and one batter later Black would score on an MCLA error. Salem would tack on another unearned run in the seventh to pad the lead.

Black went seven shutout innings to earn the win and move to 7-6 on the season.  Meczywor took the loss and falls to 5-9 on the hill.

Salem State will play next in the MASCAC tournament later in the week. MCLA will play tomorrow versus Williams College at 4:00 PM.