SOFTBALL FALLS IN BOTH ENDS OF GNAC TWIN BILL MONDAY

Despite a four run first inning lead in game one and a four run advantage in the fourth in game two, the Mount Ida College softball team dropped both ends in Monday’s Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) twin bill to visiting Norwich University by scores of 5-4 and 7-6.  The Mustangs fall to 11-10 overall, 4-8 in league play while the Cadets improve to 4-18, 3-11 in the GNAC.

A leadoff single by freshman Devan Meeker (Bantam, CT/Litchfield) followed by a two run shot over the right centerfield fence by freshman Danielle Mitchell (Whitman, MA/Whitman-Hanson Regional) gave the Mustangs an immediate 2-0 advantage in the bottom of the first inning.  A walk by sophomore Erica Belliveau (Tewksbury, MA/Tewksbury) ensued after the homer along with a drop third strike pass ball and a bunt single loading the bases for Mount Ida.  Sophomore Tracy Koukol (North Attleboro, MA/Attleboro) followed driving in two for the 4-0 lead but was thrown out second on a good relay from the Cadets to end the frame.

The visitors cut the Mustang advantage to one on a three run, three hit inning that featured two costly errors by the hosts.  The two mistakes by Mount Ida came on the second and third batters of the inning putting two on.  Sophomore Hallie Greenon (Franklin, VT/Missisquoi Valley) was next poking a single into left field making it 4-1 hosts.  The bases would load on the next hitter followed by another RBI single, this time by freshman Christine Clark (Weymouth, MA/Weymouth) plating run two down 4-2.  A single up the middle by junior Marley Balasco (Barrington, RI/LaSalle Academy) scored the third and final run of the second inning rally for the Cadets making it 4-3.

After a stagnant third, Norwich tied the score in the top of the fourth inning featuring a two out rally plating one run on two hits. Two straight outs started the frame followed by a drop third strike advancement and two consecutive singles loading the bases.  A groundout by Balasco scored the tying run for the Cadets making it 4-4 after the fourth. 

Norwich added one more run in the top of the fifth to take their first lead of the contest on a one run, one hit inning.  The Cadets would reach on another drop third strike that the Mustangs were unable to convert to first base for an out.  A groundout advanced the runner to second base sliding into scoring position.  The run was driven in when junior Seana Ellsworth (Everett, MA/Everett) smacked a single into center giving the visitors a 5-4 advantage.

Mount Ida was unable to convert going three-and-out in the final three innings of the contest giving the Cadets their second GNAC victory of the season with a 5-4 win.

Although Meeker took the loss for the Mustangs going all seven innings, she only surrendered one earned run in the game. Two errors by the defense that led to four Norwich runs cost Mount Ida the win.  Meeker gave up 10 hits with three strikeouts and a walk.  Cadet junior Mackenzie Pratt (Hyde Park, VT/Lamoille Union) snatched the victory adding nine strikeouts and giving up all four earned runs. 

After a quiet first inning, game two got rolling on a one run top of the second inning by the visitors.  A leadoff double to centerfield by Whitney Grennon (Franklin, VT/Missisquoi Valley) kicked off the frame followed by two walks loading the bags for Norwich.  A single to centerfield by H. Grennon plated the first run of the contest giving the Cadets a 1-0 opening advantage. 

The Mustangs started their charge in the bottom of the third inning with three runs taking their first lead of the game.  With two of the first three batters’ of the inning advancing, Belliveau stepped up and blasted a three run homer giving the hosts a 3-1 advantage and a lot of momentum. 

Mount Ida added one more score in the bottom of the fourth on a one run, four hit inning.  A lead off single by junior Erin Dufficy (Shelton, CT/Shelton) put a runner on and she eventually moved to third on two straight groundouts.  With two down, Meeker slid a single through the left side of the infield scoring Dufficy for the only run of the frame for the 4-1 lead.

The visitors didn’t let up scoring six runs in the next two innings to take a commanding 7-4 advantage helped by two mistakes from Mount Ida.  A walk and an error followed by a single from Pratt to centerfield plated the Cadets first of three in the inning.  After a passed ball moved the runners into scoring position, a groundout to second base scored the next run making it 4-3.  The final and tying run of the inning came on an error by the Mustangs knotting the contest up at 4-4. 

Following a leadoff groundout, Clark singled and advanced to second on another Mustang error.  Balasco gave her team their first lead of game two with a hammered double to right centerfield scoring Clark going ahead 5-4.  Cadet junior Lindsay Carey (Colchester, VT/Colchester) delivered next with a triple to right field scoring Balasco up 6-4.  A Pratt single plated the seventh and final run of the frame on another Pratt single up 7-4 to end the top of the sixth.

The game came down to the hosts last out in the bottom of the seventh inning.  Mount Ida freshman Cortney Rebello (North Dartmouth, MA/Great New Bedford Voc. Tech) walked followed by a freshman Chaise Courbron (Monroe, CT/Masuk) single and a walk by Dufficy loaded the bags.  Freshman pitcher Denise Picard (Winooski, VT/Winooski) delivered next with a single to centerfield scoring both runners cutting the Cadet lead to one down 7-6.

A fly out gave the Mustangs one final chance to score the tying run.  With two down, a borderline strike call to punch out Meeker ended the game handing the visitors the 7-6 victory and sweep the afternoon’s conference twin bill.

Picard went the distance for Mount Ida taking the loss giving up nine hits, seven runs (on which only four that were earned), and five base on balls.  H. Grennon was the winning Cadet hurler in game two surrendering 13 hits, all six earned runs, and striking out three.

Belliveau and Mitchell were the biggest offensive threats for the Mustangs with a homer a piece each in different games combining for five runs driven in.  Koukol and Meeker added four combined RBI’s (two each) on the day as well.

The Mustangs will host non-conference UMASS-Boston this coming Wednesday with another doubleheader starting at 3:00 p.m.