Softball splits a pair at Salem

Courtesy of Salem State Sports Information

Salem, Mass. -- Salem State and MCLA split a MASCAC doubleheader on Sunday afternoon in a makeup from April 2. The Trailblazers took the first game 7-3 in eight innings before the Vikings rebounded with a come-from-behind, 4-3 victory in game two. In game one, Rachael Quackenbush (Hoosick Falls, N.Y.) pitched a complete game, allowing three earned runs and Abby Lucas (Braintree,Mass.) hit a bases loaded double in the eighth that drove in three runs to propel MCLA to victory. In game two, Dahlia DeCologero (Woburn, Mass.) lofted a two-out single over the right fielder's head that scored Jen Crovo (Melrose, Mass.) from first with the game-winning run.  Salem State improves to 7-11 and 2-2 in conference while MCLA goes to 8-10 and 2-2 in the MASCAC.

Game 1
Quackenbush took a two-hitter into the sixth inning as MCLA clung to a 1-0 lead. The Trailblazers scored the only run of the game in the third when Quackenbush singled in Julie Watson (Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.) from third. Trailing 1-0, Salem State's offense awoken in the bottom of the sixth to take a 2-1 lead. Following a leadoff walk to Marisa Sanchez (Framingham, Mass.), Rebecca Krigman(Malden, Mass.) singled to put runners on first and third. Desiree Moreno (Ashburnham, Mass.) followed with a two-run double to put the Vikings on top.  However, MCLA tied the game in the top of the seventh when Jenn Sicinski (Shelton, V.T.) drove in Chelsea Coleman (Brookfield, Conn.) with a double from first.  

With the scored tied 2-2 in the top of the eighth, the Trailblazers' first three batters reached base before Angelica Perfido (Whately, Mass.) drove in the go-ahead run with a base hit. Lucas then doubled to deep right center to drive in three more runs before Coleman capped the scoring for MCLA, which suddenly led 7-2, with a base hit. Moreno added an RBI single for the Vikings in the bottom of the inning, but that would be all as the Trailblazers won 7-3.

lleish Burney (Bristol, Conn.) went the distance for Salem State, pitching eight innings and allowing seven runs (five earned) on 13 hits with a strikeout.  Coleman finished 3-for-4 for MCLA while Lucas added two hits and three RBI. Moreno finished 2-for-3 with three RBI for the Vikings.

Game 2
The Trailblazers reached the scoreboard first in game two, scoring a run in the fourth on a double by Lucas. The Vikings answered in the bottom of the inning when Jess Raymond (Peabody, Mass.) knocked in DeCologero, who had doubled.

Neither starting pitcher lasted past the fifth. Katie Henault started for MCLA and went 4.1 innings and allowed a run on six hits with three strikeouts. Vikings' starter Meghan Black (Winchendon, Mass.) went five complete, allowing four hits and a run before being lifted for Rachael Cyr (Amesbury, Mass.). Both game one starters returned to the mound with Quackenbush relieving for MCLA in the fifth and Burney figuring in the decision for Salem State by coming in for Cyr in the sixth. The Trailblazers built a two-run cushion in the sixth when Sam Boyle (Pittsfield, Mass.) hit a single with the bases loaded that plated two runs. Once again, Salem State answered in the bottom of the sixth as three straight singles loaded the bases with two outs. Raymond scored on a wild pitch and Moreno walked putting Sanchez on third who then scored on a passed ball, tying the game 3-3. In the bottom of the seventh , Quackenbush quickly retired the first two batters, but a single by Crovo set up DeCologero for the game-winning hit and a 4-3 Vikings' victory.

Watson went 2-for-3 for MCLA while DeCologero finished 2-for-3 with a run and RBI for the Vikings. Burney picked up her sixth win of the season in relief. 

Salem State travels to Endicott for a doubleheader on Tuesday beginning at 3:00 PM while MCLA is at Bay Path for two games with a 3:00 PM start time.