Athletics News and Press Releases

Smith Softball Holds Out For The One Run Victory over Amherst College

AMHERST, MA - Smith Softball held on for the non-conference victory over Amherst College despite a late game rally by the Jeffs, securing the 7-6 win to improve to 15-13 overall. The Jeffs fall to 15-8 on the season.

The Pioneers were first to light up the scoreboard, posting a 1-0 lead in the top of the second on an RBI single to the gap in left by first-year Emily Hiltzik (Westbury, NY). The Jeffs threatened to open the game up in the bottom of the third, loading the bases with two outs after hits by junior Annalise Rodli (La Canada, CA) and senior Laura Trigeiro (Reston, VA), and a fielder's choice by first-year Julia Cummings (Los Angeles, CA). However, in what would become the theme of the day for the Jeffs, Smith first-year hurler Emily Hiltzick forced sophomore shortstop Elizabeth Neckes (Dover, MA) to pop out to short, ending the inning and stranding the runners.

The game remained 1-0 through four innings until the Pioneers notched four runs on four hits to take a 5-0 lead in the fifth frame, ending a tough outing for Amherst sophomore pitcher Sam Miller (Newton, MA).
Sara Matarti (Hawthorne, NJ) singled to third base then stole second on a pop up to third by Erin Quinn (Northbrook, IL). Miller then went onto to walk Chloe Pete (Beaverton, OR) and gave up an RBI double off the bat of Crystal Fryer (Louisville, KY) advancing Pete to third and driving in Matari for the score. Deb Sasges (Vancouver, B.C.) powered a two run double to left center field scoring Pete and Fryer to stretch the Pioneer’s lead to 4-0. After Sara Watson (Kent, WA) singled up the middle to bring Sasges around for the score and the 5-0 Smith lead, first year Maddie Tamagni (Salinas, CA) came off the Jeff’s bench to relieve Miller and got the Jeffs safely out of the inning.

Amherst picked up one run in the bottom of the fifth and posted a three run rally again in the sixth, bringing them within one of Smith’s 5-4 lead. Smith responded with a two-run rally of their own in the top of the seventh, extending their lead to 7-4. Fryer drilled a double down the left field line and Sasges followed suit with a double of her own to left center field to score Fryer before coming home on a throwing error by the Jeff’s shortstop.

In a final attempt to catch the Pioneers, the Jeffs posted two runs in the bottom of the seventh but not enough to even the score, sealing the victory for Smith.

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