Softball sweeps Mass. Maritime in MASCAC action
North Adams, MA- The MCLA Softball team earned their first two MASCAC victories this afternoon as the Trailblazers handled the visiting Mass. Maritime Buccaneers by scores of 10-2 and 10-1. Both games went five innings as the Trailblazers improved to 4-20 overall and are 2-6 in the league. MMA drops to 4-10 overall and remains winless in the league at 0-8.
Game One-
The Trailblazers started fast as they scored twice in the opening frame to seize the early lead. Kaitlyn Berghela walked and scored after the Bucs misplayed a bunt for a 1-0 advantage. Later, Nevada Nelsen would single and bring around Erika Quackenbush who had previously walked for a 2-0 advantage.
The Bucs would get a run back in the second as Allyson Crowley drove in a run making it 2-1. The Trailblazers promptly got the run back in the bottom half as Kara Adams scored on another miscue increasing the lead to 3-1. The teams traded runs making it 4-2 before MCLA exploded for six runs in the fifth to earn the win.
In the decisive inning, MCLA had five hits. The key blow was a two run single from Berghela and when Chelsea Coleman walked with the bases loaded, the game is over.
Morgan Watson earned her second win (2-9) of the season allowing just 4 hits and striking out 7 Bucs. Alex Romano was a perfect 3-3 to lead the offense that ended with 10 hits.
Jenna Nalette took the loss for MMA going the distance.
Game Two-
The Trailblazers wasted little time putting this one away as they jumped out to a 7-0 lead after two innings of play. Coleman had an RBI hit in the first inning while Berghela belted a two run triple in the second to stake the early lead.
Maritime got a run back in the fourth on an RBI groundout, but MCLA put the game out of reach with a four run bottom half. Nelsen had the key hit with a two run single to right field for MCLA.
Kara Adams earned the win in the circle going five innings, allowing just the one run and striking out one. Nelsen was 3-3 in the nightcap while Berghela had two hits, two RBI, and two runs scored.
Melissa Cochrane absorbed the loss for MMA.