SAINTS SETTLE FOR TWINBILL SPLIT VS NORWICH

BOSTON, Mass. – The Emmanuel College softball team settled for a Great Northeast Athletic Conference doubleheader split on Wednesday evening against Norwich University at Roberto Clemente Field. The Saints picked up a 4-3 win in game one but couldn't complete the sweep as the Cadets rebounded for a 6-4 game two win. The Saints stand at 13-10 overall and 5-3 in GNAC play while NU is now 6-12 overall and 6-2 in the GNAC.

GAME 1

The Saints plated four runs in the first inning and never looked back. Senior shortstop Catherine Davis (Wethersfield, Conn.) got the inning started with a leadoff single through the left side of the infield and came around to score on an RBI double to left by freshman designated player Ashley Skey (Brookline, N.H.) to make it 1-0. Junior first baseman Susie Kieselback (Wethersfield, Conn.) drove in the second Emmanuel run before rookie centerfield Olivia Burgos (Newington, Conn.) found the gap in centerfield for a two-out two-RBI double to bump the hosts lead to 4-0.

Norwich got on the board with a run in the top of the fourth to make it a 4-1 game. Senior left fielder Taylor Morris (Haverhill, N.H.) drew a walk to open the frame and came around to score from first on a two-out RBI double to right centerfield by freshman right fielder Mallori Cesario (Brandenton, Fla.).

NU sophomore first baseman Kassy Kazimierczak (Adams, Mass.) cut the Emmanuel lead to one with a two-run bomb to left field in the sixth inning to make it a 4-3 game but EC junior hurler Jill Kilcoyne (Worcester, Mass.) worked her way out of the inning to keep the Saints on top by a run.

The four run first proved to be just enough as Kilcoyne and the Saints held on for the 4-3 win as the junior moves to 9-5 on the year. NU freshman pitcher Emily Oliver (Sagamore Hills, Ohio) suffered the loss going the distance for the Cadets allowing the four runs (one earned) to fall to 3-4 on the year.

GAME 2

The Cadets returned the favor in the nightcap and jumped out to an early first-inning lead. The damage came with two outs on a three-run homer to left-center by senior catcher Angie Hershberger (Felton, Calif.) to give NU a 3-0 cushion.

Davis got the Saints on the board in the bottom half of the third with a one-out solo homer to center to cut the Norwich lead to 3-1 but in the fourth, Kazimierczak homered for the second consecutive game to give the Cadets a 5-1 lead, blasting a two-run shot over the left field fence on an 0-2 fastball down the middle of the pipe.

In the fifth, NU sophomore Sarah Perry (New Bedford, Mass.) added to the Cadets lead with an RBI single to make it 6-1.

EC's attempt at a rally in the seventh fell just short. The Saints plated three in the bottom of the seventh and left the tying runners in scoring position to account for the 6-4 final.

Rookie pitcher Rachel Johnson (Stockbridge, Vt.) went the distance to earn the win for the Cadets, improving to 3-7 on the year by allowing four runs on four hits. Burgos suffered the loss and falls to 0-2 for the Saints.

The Saints return to action on Friday when they head to West Hartford, Conn. for another GNAC play date. They'll face off against the University of Saint Joseph (CT) at 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM. NU is back on Saturday when they host Albertus Magnus at 1:00 & 3:00 PM.