Athletics News and Press Releases

April 9th, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jen Steele
(413) 585-3076

Softball Slides Past Springfield

Springfield, MA: The Smith Pioneers took two games from the Springfield Pride in today’s New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference dual, winning the first 4-1 and finishing the afternoon with a 1-0 shutout. With the victories, the Pioneers improve to 9-10 overall and 3-5 in the conference.

The Pioneers used timely hitting in the first game, as they were quick to attack Springfield’s starting pitcher Stephanie Blackman. First year Crystal Fryer (Louisville, KY) singled with one out and junior Debbie Sasges (Vancouver, BC) followed Fryer’s lead, notching a single as well. Senior Sara Watson (Kent, WA) drilled a hard line drive up the middle, which deflected off Blackman’s leg, allowing Fryer to score and placing Sasges in scoring position. Sophomore Kate Schoenen (Ellicott City, MD) continued the rally, driving another ball up the middle, scoring Sasges for the 2-0 advantage.

The Pioneers attacked again in the fifth inning when Sasges led off with a single. Watson reached first base on a fielder’s choice, and with no outs, Schoenen delievered again, hitting another single and driving in Sasges. Senior Amber Bourque-Laycsak (Tinley Park, IL) singled as well, plating Watson and making the score 4-0. The Pride rallied back in the bottom of the sixth, taking advantage of two Pioneer errors and picked up one run. Senior pitcher Katie Maroney (Santa Clarita, CA) went the distance on the mound, giving up eight hits, no earned runs, and striking out seven.

The second game of the afternoon featured a pitcher’s dual at its finest. Both the Pride’s Samantha Rhodes and the Pioneers' Emily Hiltzik (Long Island, NY) looked strong, however the Pioneers were able to capitalize with runners in scoring position in the third inning. Junior designated played Sara Matari (Hawthorne, NJ) led the inning off with a single. Sophomore Taryn Pestalozzi (Troutdale, OR) sacrifice bunted Matari to second and reached first on an error by Rhodes. Junior Chloe Pete (Beaverton, OR) also played the short game, advancing both Matari and pinch runner Theo Dowark (West Hartford, CT) on her sacrifice bunt. After Rhodes got Fryer to ground out, Sasges drilled a single, plating Matari for the Pioneers’ sole run of the game. One run was all Hiltzik needed, as she was able to silence the Pride’s bats. Hiltzik held the Pride to seven hits and added four strikeouts of her own.

The Pioneers are back in action tomorrow, April 10th, when the host Westfield State. Game time is slotted for 4pm.

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