Trailblazer softball splits with Falcons in MASCAC play

North Adams, MA- The MCLA softball team got an 8 inning shutout from senior Rachel Quackenbush to defeat the Fitchburg State Falcons 1-0 in game one of a MASCAC twinbill this afternoon.  The Falcons turned the tides in game two, shutting out the Trailblazers 3-0 to earn the split.  

Fitchburg State is now 10-12 overall and sits at 4-2 in league play.  MCLA is now 9-13 and 3-3 in the conference.

The Trailblazers and Falcons engaged in an old fashioned pitchers dual in the opener.  Quackenbush went toe to toe with FSU's Kaylee Sylvestre.  Each pitcher went the distance and MCLA finally broke through in the eighth inning to earn the win.

Michaela Dinicola opened with a bunt single and Abby Lucas' hard hit ball to short was misplayed putting runners at first and second with nobody out.  Chelsea Coleman laid down a bunt that was thrown away at first allowing Dinicola to come around with the walk off run.

Each team had chances late to score the game winner.  In the sixth, the Falcons had two runners on with just one out, however Quackenbush got a pair of pop outs to end the inning.  In the bottom of the seventh, it looked as though MCLA would win it when they put runners on second and third with two outs, but Sylvestre would get Angelica Perfido to popup to send the game into extras.

In the top of the 8th, Fitchburg's Medina would single and steal second base.  She advanced to third on a wild pitch and attempted to score on a ground ball to second, however she was cut down at the plate keeping the zero on the score board setting the stage for MCLA's heroics.

Quackenbush allowed just the four hits and struck out 9 Falcons to improve to 6-6.  Sylvestre also struck out 9 batters in her 7+ innings of work.

In game two, the Falcons would plate two runs in the third and another in the fourth off MCLA starter Kate Henault to seize control.  From there, Galen Kerr was the story as she allowed just four hits and collected five K's to earn the win and even her record at 7-7.

Emily Comtois' two run double in the third was the key blow while Gemma's double in the fourth produced the other Falcon run.

Kerr retired the final seven batters she faced as MCLA went quietly as the Falcons earned the split.

MCLA is back in action on Monday when they travel to Mass. Maritime Academy at 1pm.