March 30, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carole Grills
(413) 585-2703
Smith Softball Sweeps MIT In NEWMAC Opener
Northampton, MA: The Pioneers opened New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) competition this afternoon with a 9-2, 4-3 sweep of MIT. With the victories, Smith improved to 6-7 overall, 2-0 in conference while MIT fell to 3-10 overall and 0-2 in the NEWMAC.
The Pioneers put four runs on the board in the first three innings. Sophomore Megan Kiefer (Oak Park, IL) led off the bottom of the first with a double, stole third and scored on on a grounder by Katie Schoenen (Ellicott City, MD). In the second inning, Emily Hiltzik (Westubry, NY) drew a walk and advanced to second while batter Taryn Pestalozzi (Troutdale, OR) reached first on an error. Sophomore Laura Robitzek (Auburn, ME) reached on a fielder's choice but Hiltzik was thrown out at third. Marisa Kritikson (Tampa, FL) doubled scoring Pestalozzi and Kiefer followed with a single to pick up the second RBI of the inning. Schoenen led off the third inning with a double, Erin Quinn (Northbrook, IL) and Jessie Paull (Mercer Island, WA) each singled and Paull picked up the RBI.
MIT answered with two runs in the fourth on hits by Lily Keung, Amanda Jason, and Keeri Dixon but Smith added three insurance runs in the bottom of the inning to take the win.
Junior Dezarai Fisher (Phoenix, AZ) pitched 7 innings for Smith, gave up 5 hits and struck out 9 while Jessica Oleinik took the loss for MIT, 12 hits, 2 strikeouts, 2 walks.
In game two, MIT took a 3-1 lead into the sixth inning but the Pioneers scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth and held MIT scoreless in the 7th to take the 4-3 victory. Kiefer went 3-for-3 for Smith, Crystal Fryer (Louisville, KY) had two RBI's while Schoenen and Kritikson picked up the other two RBI's. Fisher again got the victory as she gave up 7 hits in 6 innings with 6 strikeouts.
MIT's Dixon, Jason, and Aubrey Tatarowicz each collected two hits in the loss while Jason added two RBI's. Senior Leah Bogsted took the loss on the mound, 10 hits, 10 strikeouts and 2 walks.
The Pioneers host Elms College tomorrow at 4:45 pm.
