April 15, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carole Grills
(413) 585-2703

Amherst Blanks Softball 8-0

Northampton, MA: The Pioneers had two scoring opportunities this afternoon but fell to valley rival Amherst College 8-0 in five innings. The win improved Amherst's overall record to 15-5 while Smith fell to 6-21.

With one out in the second inning, catcher Sarah Goodman (Pittsford, NY) drew a walk and Jessie Paull (Mercer Island, WA) singled and each runner advanced on a wild pitch. However, starting pitcher Alex Chang-Graham (San Carlos, CA) got the next hitter to ground into a double play to end the inning.  The game remained scoreless until the fourth inning when host Amherst exploded for 8 runs on 6 hits. The Pioneers had another opportunity to score in the fifth inning. Again with one out, Crystal Fryer (Louisville, KY) and Selma Mehter (Seattle, WA) each got on base but were left stranded.

Chang-Graham got the win as she allowed just 3 hits, walked one and struck out four in five innings.  Emily Hiltzik (Westbury, NY), who allowed just one hit  through the first three innings,  took the loss for Smith as she gave up 4 earned runs on 7 hits while striking out three and walking three.

The Pioneers return to NEWMAC action on Friday when they travel to Springfield College for a 3:30 pm doubleheader before returning home to close out the regular season hosting NEWMAC rival Wellesley College at noon on Saturday.