April 19, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carole Grills
(413) 585-2703
Smith Softball Splits Doubleheader with Coast Guard
Northampton, MA: The Pioneers split a doubleheader with New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) opponent Coast Guard, 11-2, 3-11, this afternoon in Northampton. With the victory, Smith improved to 13-19 and 6-10 in the conference while Coast Guard fell to 12-22 and also 6-10 in the NEWMAC.
In game one, sophomore Megan Kiefer (Oak Park, IL) gave the Pioneers a 1-0 lead in the first inning as she singled, advanced to second on a sacrifice, third on a wild pitch and scored on a single by shortstop Katie Schoenen (Ellicott City, MD). Smith added six runs in the second inning that proved enough to take the win. Emily Hiltzik (Westbury, NY), Laura Robitzek (Auburn, ME) and Salma Mehter (Seattle, WA) each hit singles to load the bases. Kiefer then collected her second hit of the game and drove in her first two runs. Junior Crystal Fryer (Louisville, KY) reached on an error by the shortstop as Mehter scored. Schoenen drew a walk to again load the bases and junior Erin Quinn (Northbrook, IL) doubled and picked up two RBI's. Jessie Paull (Mercer Island, WA) singled while Quinn advanced to third. Hiltzik recorded her second hit of the inning and picked up an RBI to give Smith a 7-0 lead.
Coast Guard put two runs up in the fourth inning on a single by Jeannie Crump (Roseville, CA), a double by Erin Cullen (Dublin, OH) and three passed balls.
Senior pitcher Dezarai Fisher (Phoenix, AZ) pitched five innings for Smith and gave up 7 hits and struck out four in the win while Crystal Lee Coonan (North Grafton, MA) pitched four innings and gave up 13 hits and walked four with two strikeouts.
Kiefer went 3-for-4 at the plate, scored three runs and collected four RBI's to lead the Pioneers. Schoenen, Paull, Hiltzik and Mehter each went 2-for-3 and Quinn picked two RBI's.
In game two, Coast Guard took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a run by Leanna Minton (Antoich, CA) but Smith responded with two in the bottom of the inning. Kiefer again was hot at the plate as she led off with a double followed by Schoenen who homered to give Smith a shortlived 2-1 lead. The Bears went up 3-2 in the top of the second on a walk by Carin Sweeney (Woodbury, MN) who advanced to third on a double by Colleen Denny (Clarence City, NY). First year Becky Miller (Norco, CA) followed with a triple and drove in both runners.
Smith tied the game in the fifth inning when Kiefer singled, advanced to second on a sacrifice by Fryer and scored on a hit by Schoenen. Coast Guard blew the game open in the sixth as they scored the game winner unearned and added seven more for insurance.
Hiltzik took the loss for Smith as she gave up 9 hits and 6 runs in 4.2 innings while Coonan registered the win for Coast Guard.
