April 23, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Laura Williamson
(413) 585-2703

Softball Defeats Springfield 6-5 on Day 1 of NEWMAC Tournament

Northampton, MA: Smith came back from a 5-0 deficit in the third to defeat Springfield College, 6-5, off a go-ahead home run hit by Megan Kiefer '10 (Oak Park, IL) in the top of the sixth inning.

The Pioneers got things going in the forth inning when Emily Hiltzik '09 (Westbury, NY) was walked followed with single hit by Robitzek '10 (Auburn, ME) to put two players on with two outs. Salma Mehter '11 (Seattle, WA) batted in Hiltzik off a double to put Smith on the board. Kiefer followed with a single that would score both Robitzek and Mehter to get Smith within two runs.

Kathryn Schoenen '08 (Ellicott City, MD) led off the fifth inning with a double for the Pioneers. Taryn Pestalozzi '08 (Troutdale, OR) earned the RBI off a double scoring Schoenen and brought Smith within one.

With her third hit on the game, Mehter got on base with a single to start off the sixth inning for Smith. Kiefer followed with a two run go-ahead homerun to take the Pioneers to a 6-5 victory over Springfield.

Pitching four and two thirds innings, Dezarai Fisher '08 (Phoenix, AZ), earned the win for the Pioneers with no runs allowed and three strike outs.

In the second game of the day Smith lost to Wheaton 1-9. Kiefer led the Pioneers with three hits. Fisher pitched three and one third innings striking out two Wheaton batters.

The day's games result in Smith taking on Clark University at 10 am on Saturday, April 26 as the NEWMAC Softball Championships continue at Wellesley College.