Athletics News and Press Releases

April 10, 2006
For Immediate Release
Contact: Joy Zazzera
(413) 585-3076

Smith Softball Topples Westfield State 10-2 in Non-Conference Action

Northampton, MA: On a beautiful afternoon in Northampton, the Smith Pioneers put runs on the board in 5 of 6 innings played to defeat the Westfield State College Owls in non-conference softball action. With the win, Smith’s overall record breaks even at 10-10 while Westfield falls to 7-13.

In today’s game, Smith opened the scoring in the bottom of the second to take the early 1-0 lead. Amber Bourque-Laycsak (Tinley Park, IL) singled to lead off the inning, advancing to second on a ground out on the next play. Catcher Taryn Pestalozi (Troutdale, OR) reached second on an error by Owl’s left fielder Brittany Silva bringing Bourque-Laycsak home for the unearned run. Westfield evened the score in the top of the third when Lindsay Jardin led off with a single and five batters later touched home on an RBI single by Adrienne Walker to knot the game at 1 run apiece.

The bats came alive for Smith in the bottom of the third inning as they were able to push 4 more runs across the board to take a 5-1 lead. Deb Sasges (Vancouver, B.C.) singled to lead off the inning and Sara Watson (Kent, WA) followed suit reaching on a fielder’s choice. Both runners advanced on a sacrifice ground out to third base by Kate Schoenen (Ellicott City, MD). With runners on second and third, starting pitcher Emily Hiltzik (Westbury, NY) drilled a two run RBI singled up the middle to give Smith the 3-1 lead. Bourque-Laycsak kept the momentum going for Smith reaching on a fielder’s choice and then with two outs away advanced to second on a single by Sara Matari (Hawthorne, NJ). Pestalozzi made contact on an RBI single up the middle to bring in Bourqe-Laycsak for the 4-1 lead and then Chloe Pete (Beaverton, OR) dropped an RBI single over Westfield shortstop Lindsay Jardin’s head bringing in Matari for the score and the 5-1 Smith lead.

The two teams traded runs in the 4th inning. Westfield rattled of three straight singles to load the bases with Jen Raymond touching home for the score as Rosemary Dowling reached first on a Smith error. Smith centerfielder Sara Watson connected on her third home run of the season, sailing a ball over the centerfield fence to give Smith the 6-2 cushion heading into the 6th inning. Westfield was unable to find the scoreboard again as Smith retired the first three batters in the bottom of the 6th. With one out away in the bottom of the 6th for Smith, Bourque-Laycsak drilled a double over third base and advanced to third on the next play. Pestalozzi laid down an RBI single brining in Bourque-Laycsak for the score and final run of the game, giving Smith their third straight victory, 10-2.

First year hurler Emily Hiltzik recorded her second straight victory in as many days and is now 4-6 on the year. Westfield pitcher Katie Kissel records her 5th loss (5-6) for the Owl’s.

Smith returns to action on Wednesday when they host Williams College for a doubleheader beginning at 4 PM.

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