MCLA drops first two games of the season

Fort Myers, FL- MCLA opened up the 2014 season today taking on Olivet College in the Gene Cusic Tournament. MCLA fell to Olivet 7-0.

Through four innings it was a pitchers duel as Rachel Quackenbush and Morgan Strattoon went pitch for pitch. The fifth inning changed things, as both pitchers no-hitter bids were broken up.

Quackenbush would retire the first batter she faced in the fifth before she hit Jessica Palumbo. Kelsey Schneeks would beat out a bunt to Darien Sullivan at third. Sullivan's throw got away from first baseman Abby Lucas and Palumno advanced to third. Ashley Milheim singled to short scoring the first run of the game. Shannon Huntley struck out looking to give the Trailblazers their second out of the inning, but Olivet wasn't done, as they tallied two more runs on Ashlynn Grubb's double to center.

With two outs in the bottom of the fifth Tanelle Ciempa stroked a double to left, but was stranded there. MCLA again threathened in the sixth when Quackenbush led off with a single. Katelyn Henault pinch ran for Quackenbush but was thrown out trying to advance from first to third on Sullivan's misplayed bunt. Michela DiNicola flied to center and Kristen Nadeau struck out stranding Sullivan on base.

Olivet scored four runs in the top of the seventh to secure their second win, while MCLA was tabbed with their first loss.

Quackenbush sat down 13 Olivet hitters in the Trailblazer loss.

In game two, MCLA got out of a first inning Newbury rally when Samantha Barbarotta threw out Tory Hoemeke at home.

MCLA would strike first though when Alex Romano singled and scored on Amanda Meczywor's double to left center. That would be the only Trailblazer run on the morning.

MCLA would hold onto the lead until the bottom of the sixth inning. Back to back singles by Sheri Liggiero and Hoemeke put runners on first and second. With one out in the inning Naomi Ricciotti would triple collecting two RBI's. Ricciotti would score the securing run on an infield error.

MCLA had the bottom of the order coming up in the seventh and could only muster up one hit, as they fell to Newbury 3-1.

Meczywor would take the loss in the circle for the Trailblazers.

The Trailblazers will be back in action tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 and 3:00.