April 5, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carole Grills
(413) 585-2703

Smith Softball Drops Doubleheader to Babson

Northampton, MA: The Pioneers dropped a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) doubleheader, 8-4 and 9-2, to Babson College this afternoon. With the loss, Smith fell to 6-10 overall and 2-2 in NEWMAC competition while Babson improved to 15-9 and 4-2 in conference play.

The Beavers put two runs up in the first inning of the opening game on a hit by Courtney Thurston (Taunton, MA) who then stole second.  Jess Byrn (Safety Harbor, FL) followed with a double and picked up an RBI and then scored on a hit by Jess Winer (Longmeadow, MA).

Smith took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the inning when Megan Kiefer (Oak Park, IL) led off with a walk and advanced to third on a single by Crystal Fryer (Louisville, KY). Fryer stole second and both runners scored on a double by shortstop Katie Schoenen (Ellicott City, MD).  Left fielder Erin Quinn (Northbrook, IL) got a base hit and Schoenen advanced to third followed by pitcher Emily Hiltzik (Westbury, NY) who collected a hit and picked up the RBI. 

The Beavers reclaimed the lead in the top of the second as they scored two runs on hits by Michelle Bolduc (Darien, CT), Bryn, a walk and two errors.

Smith scored again in the bottom of the 5th to tie it at 4-4 but Babson answered with a run in the 6th and three in the 7th for the 8-4 victory.  Bryn went the distance for Babson and gave up 6 hits with 4 strikeouts and 3 walks. Senior Dezarai Fisher (Phoenix, AZ) took the loss for Smith as she gave up 4 runs and a walk in six innings.

In game two, Smith held a 2-1 lead until the 5th inning when Babson scored seven runs to break open the game and claim the 9-2 win.

Sophomore Megan Kiefer went 4-7 on the day for Smith while Brittney Russo (Middletown, CT) was 6-8, Winer 5-9 and Jess Cohen 5-9 for Babson.  First year Caroline Barr  (Wilmington, MA) picked up the win in the second game for Babson while Hiltzik took the loss for Smith.