Watson, Adams, Quackenbush hurl MCLA Softball to sweep over Lyndon State 2-0, 3-2
North Adams, MA- The MCLA Softball program received a complete game shutout from freshman Morgan Watson in taking game one 2-0, and then held off a Hornet rally to take game two 3-2. The Trailblazers are now 2-16 while the Hornets drop to 0-4.
Game One-
Morgan Watson was outstanding for MCLA in the circle. She earned her first career win (1-7) spinning a one hitter and fanning ten for the Trailblazers. Watson yielded a hit to Shelby Sheridan, the first batter of the game, but settled in from there to earn the victory. At one point, she retired ten straight Hornets.
The Trailblazers broke into the scoring column in the bottom of the third when Katelyn Berghela walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch. After an out, Erika Quackenbush would drive her in with a solid single to left field making it 1-0 in favor of the hosts.
MCLA wasted an opportunity to extend the lead in the fourth inning as they stranded two runners in scoring position. Lyndon State had a scoring chance in the fifth putting the tying run on second with just one out, however MCLA's Nevada Nelsen threw out Makayla Epps attempting to steal third in essence ending the threat.
The Trailblazer offense struck again in the bottom of the inning, all with two outs. Alex Romano walked with two outs and then came around to score when Nelsen doubled down into the left field corner making it 2-0. MCLA left another runner in scoring position when Ashley Wilson grounded to third to end the frame.
Nelsen had a pair of hits to lead the offense in the opener.
Game Two-
Both teams scored in their opening at bats as Lyndon took an early lead with a run in the first. Shelby Sheridan was hit by a pitch to start the inning and advanced to third on a groundout and wild pitch. She would eventually score on Hannah Choiniere's RBI infield single giving the Hornets a 1-0 advantage.
MCLA would have the answer though in the bottom half, as Katelyn Berghela had a hustle double to start things off and advanced to third on Kayla Baker's single to center. Baker took second on a Hornet error putting two runs in scoring position for Quackenbush. She lofted a sacrifice fly to left field scoring Berghela, and Baker would come around on another miscue from Lyndon making it 2-1 in favor of the Trailblazers after an inning.
Chelsea Coleman brought home another run in the bottom of the third frame as she ripped an RBI single into center field scoring Baker after she doubled making it 3-1. The Hornets scored an unearned run in the fourth inning to slice the deficit to just 3-2, but MCLA starter Kara Adams worked around trouble to keep the Hornets playing catch up.
Lyndon State loaded the bases without a hit as three walks began the top of the seventh inning. MCLA brought starter Kara Adams back in after she threw the first five innings. She made a nice play on a comebacker for a force out at home, and then struck out the next hitter for the second out. Adams then induced a groundout to end the game and preserve the win.
The Trailblazers are back in action on Friday when they take on Fitchburg State.