The runner from first was rounding the bases, and scored on an RBI-triple from Pine Manor’s catcher Courtney Wallace. The fourth inning ended fairly quickly, but the damage was already done.,The crowd at Rotch Field groaned as the softball flew over leftfielder Bridget Farago’s head.
The runner from first was rounding the bases, and scored on an RBI-triple from Pine Manor’s catcher Courtney Wallace. The fourth inning ended fairly quickly, but the damage was already done.
Emerson’s softball team lost the first game of an April 14 doubleheader against Pine Manor 1-0.
The team has improved in the past few weeks, accumulating an 11-12 overall record after a dismal 2-8 start during spring training in March.
They had their work cut out for them after a poor offensive showing in game 1, and they looked to improve at the plate during the second game of the doubleheader.
“We suffered a tough loss to Pine Manor, but that game was great defensively with both fielding and pitching,” freshman Nicole Battaglia said.
Emerson came out strong, stealing three bases en route to a three-run first inning. After going quietly in the second, the Lions went back on the attack in the third.
Sophomore catcher Bri Papa singled through the right side, and junior third baseman Lindsay DeStefano tripled to right center, bringing in Papa for the Lions’ fourth run. Senior right fielder Jodie Jordan then flied out to center field, as Destefano tagged up and scored to make it 5-0.
The only hiccup for the Lions came in the fourth. Senior pitcher Heather Drobiarz walked a batter and the next tripled to right center, bringing in Pine Manor’s first run. This was followed up with a single to left, allowing the runner from third to score. After two hits and two runs, Pine Manor was finished scoring.
In an otherwise uneventful bottom of the fourth, senior designated hitter Jennifer Boyden homered to right center, bringing the score to 6-2 in favor of the Lions.
In the sixth inning, sophomore first baseman Tricia Carrabba homered to left center field, and junior second baseman Katie Hartman singled to center. Sophomore shortstop Catie McDonough doubled to left, bringing in Hartman from first base.
After reaching second base on an error, Papa scored an unearned run on a single to right center by Carrabba. Emerson’s impressive offensive streak ended after six strong innings at the plate. Emerson defeated Pine Manor in the second game of a hard-fought doubleheader with a final score of 9-2.
The Lions record improved to 12-13 overall and 10-4 in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference.
Drobiarz pitched a complete game, striking out six and holding Pine Manor to only five hits and two runs. She now has a 6-5 record.
“Hitting was lacking a bit in the first game, but the next game the team turned up the bats and it really showed,” Battaglia said.
Destefano had three hits in as many at-bats, with one RBI and one run scored. Boyden had two hits and three RBIs.
The team is now looking forward to finishing their season strongly and the hopes to do well in the GNAC tournament, which begins April 25.
“The rest of the season looks really promising if we play like we did the second game against Pine Manor,” Battaglia said.