April 6th, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jen Steele
(413) 585-3076

Northampton, MA: The Springfield Pride pounded out 32 hits and 6 homeruns in today’s NEWMAC match-up as they downed the Pioneers 15-6 and 12-3. With the wins, the Pride improves to 11-9 overall and 6-2 in NEWMAC play. The Pioneers drop to 6-11 on the season and 2-4 in conference competition.

Springfield came out swinging in game one as they plated a run in the top of the first inning when junior Denise Fumicello (Brockton, MA) reached first on a single and scored on freshman Bryn Worrilow’s (N. Babylon, NY) left-field double. Smith’s starting pitcher Emily Hiltzik (Westbury, NY) was able to get out of the jam when she caught first baseman Loni Rodriquez (Westfield, MA) looking at strike three.

The Pioneers answered back in the bottom of the second inning when junior Taryn Pestalozzi (Troutdale, OR) singled and advanced to second on a single from junior classmate Kate Schoenen (Elliocott City, MD). After falling behind in the count, first year Anna Cressotti (Southampton, MA) stepped up and drilled a single through the left side of the field, scoring Pestalozzi. After a passed ball that advanced both Schoenen and Cressotti, sophomore first baseman Crystal Fryer (Louisville, KY) singled, scoring Schoenen and giving the Pioneers the 2-1 lead.

It wouldn’t take long for the Pride to answer back, as Fumicello took a 1-0 pitch deep over the left-field fence, knotting the score at 2-2.  However, the Pioneers got hot again the bottom of the fourth as Schoenen started things off with a double to right-center.  Cressotti followed with another double, plating Schoenen and giving the Pioneers the 3-2 lead. After Cressotti advanced to third on Fryer’s infield groundball, senior Chloe Pete (Beaverton, OR) reached first on a Fumicello error, allowing Cressotti to score and the Smith lead to increase 4-2.

The 4-2 deficit was all Springfield needed as motivation, as they answered big in the top of the fifth, scoring 7 runs on 7 hits, taking the lead 9-4. Fumicello, Worrilow, Danielle Spiro (S. Windsor, CT), Rodriquez, Aimee Cassella (Southington, CT), and Lauren D’Arrigo (Lexington, MA) all picked up singles for the Pride. The inning was highlighted by first year catcher Michelle Wlosek (Nutley, NJ) 3-RBI homerun. Not to be outdone by her teammate, Spiro crushed a first-pitch offer from Smith’s Dezarai Fisher (Phoenix, AZ) for a left-center grand slam in the top of the sixth inning. At the end of the sixth, Springfield lead 13-4.

The Pioneers tried to answer back in the bottom of the sixth as they plated 2 runs off singles from Fryer and Pete and a Debbie Sasges (Vancouver, BC) sac fly. However, the Pride tacked on another 2 runs in the top of the seventh and shut the door on the Pioneer line-up to close out the game.

Hiltzik took the loss for the Pioneers, surrendering 10 hits and 8 earned runs in 4.1 innings pitched.  Fisher threw 2.2 innings of relief and gave up 9 hits and 7 earned runs. Junior pitcher Stephanie Blackman (Stamford, CT) picked up the win, tossing a complete game while giving up 11 hits and 5 earned runs.

Game two was much like the first, as the Pride continued with their hot bats and erupted with thirteen hits. Wlosek, Spiro, and Rodriguez all homered in the 6-run third inning.  Wlosek and Spiro each finished 3-3, while Rodriguez was 2-3.

Pete, Fryer, and junior Niki Banton (Shaver Lake, CA), lead the way for Smith. Pete and Fryer each finished 2-3, while Banton was 2-3.

Hiltzik again took the loss for the Pioneers, pitching 2 innings and giving up 7 hits and 5 earned runs. Fisher replaced her in the third and gave up 6 hits and 6 earned runs. Sophomore Samantha Rhodes (Mendon, MA) picked up the Springfield win, giving up 8 hits and 3 earned runs.

The Pioneers are back in action again tomorrow as they travel to Babson for another NEWMAC match-up.