Athletics News and Press Releases

March 31, 2007
For Immediate Release
Contact: Carole Grills
(413) 585-2703

                            Softball Sweeps MIT

Northampton, MA: The Pioneers swept MIT 6-3 and 12-3 this afternoon in Cambridge to improve to 6-8 overall and 2-2 in NEWMAC competition while the Engineers fell to 1-9 overall and 0-2 in conference play.

     Junior Niki Banton (Shaver Lake, CA) had a great day for Smith going 4-for-8 with three RBI's and four runs scored. Her RBI's were all in Smith's 6-3 win as she went 3-for-4 in that game. First year Megan Kiefer (Oak Park, IL) went 5-for-9 with two RBI's and four runs scored while senior Chloe Pete (Beaverton, OR) was 5-for-10 with three runs scored.

     In the first game, Smith got on the board in the opening inning. Banton picked up her first RBI when senior Deb Sasges (Vancouver, BC) walked with two out and Banton hit a triple to send her home. MIT tied the game up in the bottom of the second but Smith scored again in the third and added the game winner with two runs in the fourth. Sophomore Emily Hiltzik (Westbury, NY) picked up the win for Smith going the complete game allowing eight hits, three runs and striking out four.

     Senior Dezerai Fisher (Phoenix, AZ) registered the second win for the Pioneers as she gave up just four hits while striking out five. Smith took a 2-0 lead in the second inning with junior Katie Schoenen (Ellicott City, MD) driving in the first run before scoring the second on a wild pitch. Smith added three runs in each of the fourth and fifth innings to seal the victory.

    The Pioneers travel to Elms College on Tuesday for a 4 pm contest.

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