Softball Swept at Home Against to a Tough Johnson & Wales Team

CHICOPEE, Mass. - The Elms College Softball team hosted Johnson & Wales University for a conference doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon at Cheryl R. Condon Field.

BASICS
Game 1
Score: Elms College 0 | Johnson & Wales University 26
Records: Blazers 5-25, 1-11 (GNAC) | Wildcats 17-12, 9-2 (GNAC)

Game 2
Score: Elms College 0 | Johnson & Wales University 8
Records: Blazers 5-26, 1-12 (GNAC) | Wildcats 18-12, 10-2 (GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
Game 1
Elms would have sophomore pitcher/outfielder Kaelyn Zakaitis (Amherst, Mass.) in the circle to start the first game, pitching four innings with two strikeouts, but Johnson & Wales offense would score two runs in the top of the first inning. In the bottom of the first, sophomore utility player Amanda Raymond (Auburn, Maine) would hit a single through the left side, but the Wildcats defense would hold them scoreless for the inning. The JWU offense would then step on the gas, scoring an additional 14 runs in the top of the second inning, followed by 10 more runs in the third and fourth innings. In the top of the fifth inning, sophomore pitcher/infielder Jill Dykema (Preston, Conn.) would relieve Zakaitis, pitching the final inning of the opening game, where the Wildcats would win the game 26-0. 

Game 2
The second game would see Dykema continuing to pitch for the Blazers, pitching an additional five innings with three strikeouts. The top of the first inning would mirror the first game, with Johnson & Wales scoring two early runs. Then in the second and third innings, the Elms defense would hold the Wildcats scoreless, with Dykema recording her first two strikeouts of the day. In the bottom half of the third, senior infielder Danajah Stokes (Savannah, Ga.) would hit a single to center field, but the JWU defense would continue to hold off the Blazers offensive efforts. Dykema would record one final strikeout and senior outfielder Sarah Fortini (Florida, Mass.) would make a diving catch, but the Wildcats would secure the conference victory 8-0.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Dykema: would pitch a combined six innings, with three strikeouts.

• Raymond: one for three.

• Stokes: one for three.

• Zakaitis: would pitch four innings with two strikeouts.

UP NEXT: The Elms Softball team will host Emmanuel College on Saturday, April 19th for a conference doubleheader and their annual Strikeout Cancer Game at 12 & 2 pm at Cheryl R. Condon Field.

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