Athletics News and Press Releases

April 8th, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jen Steele
(414) 585-3076

Softball Drops Two Games to Babson

Northampton, MA: In today’s New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference match-up, the Pioneers dropped a double header to Babson College, falling 2-1 in the first game, and 6-3 in the second. With the losses, the Pioneers are now currently 7-10 on the year and 1-5 in the NEWMAC.

The first game featured a pitcher’s dual at its finest, with senior pitcher Katie Maroney (Santa Clarita, CA) silencing the Beaver bats until the fourth inning, when they were able to string together three timely hits. The Beavers plated another run in the top of the sixth after an additional three hits. The Pioneers only hope came in the bottom of the seventh from senior Sara Watson (Kent, WA), as she took the first pitch offer from the Beavers’ Meghan Gaskell and drilled her second homerun of the year over the center field fence. However, the Pioneers were unable to tie together anymore hits, and proceeded to finish the inning with three consecutive outs.

During the second game, the Beavers wasted no time jumping on the board first, as they were able to push across one run in the top of the first inning by taking advantage of two Pioneer errors and one stolen base. The Pioneers responded in the bottom of the third when sophomore catcher Taryn Pestalozzi (Troutdale, OR) started the inning with a single. First year pinch runner Fantasia Hanmer (Troy, NY) advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by junior Sara Matari (Hawthorne, NJ). Junior Debbie Sasges (Vancouver, BC) then singled, advancing Hanmer to second. Watson followed Sages’ lead, singling as well, plating Hanmer for the Pioneers first run. However, the rally ended there, as the Beavers got sophomore Kate Schoenen (Ellicott City, MD) to hit into a fielder’s choice. The Beavers took advantage of timely hits and were able to score two runs in the fourth, as well as three more in the seventh. The Pioneers battled back in the seventh, but were only able to push across two runs. First year pitcher Emily Hiltzik (Long Island, NY) took the loss on the mound, giving up 11 hits and striking out four.

The Pioneers are back in action tomorrow, April 9th, as they travel to NEWMAC rival Springfield College to play Friday’s postponed double header. Game time is slotted for 1pm.

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