MCLA drops non-conference doubleheader to Springfield

Pittsfield, MA- The MCLA Trailblazers took on the Pride of Springfield College this evening for a non-conference double header. The Pride came away with two victories as they went on to score 3 runs in the top of the seventh inning to win 3-0 and then came out on a hitting surge winning the night cap 7-0. With the wins the Pride improve to 13-13 and the Trailblazers fall to 8-13.

In the first game, Kelly Blake earned herself a walk, stole second base, was then scarified to third by Christina Leader, but MCLA starting pitcher Rachel Quackenbush struck out Jenna Webb to strand Blake at third and get out of the inning.

Springfield again threatened in the second inning, when Breann Joyce reached on an infield error, Quackenbush earned her second strike out catching Samantha Rentz looking. A single by Melissa Nelson moved Joyce to second. Joyce tried to score on a single by Elizabeth Joseph but was thrown out at the plate by Kendra Hobbs. But MCLA got themselves out of the jam when Chelsea Bender grounded out to Megan Boyer.

Jennifer Joseph seemed to be crusing through the MCLA line up until the third inning when Boyer broke up her no hitter with a single but then got thrown out trying to advance to second.

MCLA's defense buckled down and left Pride runners on base in the fourth, fifth and sixth inning.

The game was scoreless going into the seventh inning. Springfield rallied in the seventh. A lead off double by Joseph, a single by Bender set up Blake's 2 RBI single to put the Pride up 2-0. Blake would be score the final run of the inning for Springfield.

Boyer had the only Trailblazer hit until the seventh inning when Michaela DiNicola singled to left. The Trailblazer rally would end when Amanda Meczywor grounded into a double play.

In the night cap, Springfield got on the board early when lead off batter Blake tripled down the right field lined and was bunted home by Christina Leader.

MCLA threatened in the bottom of the inning but left the bases loaded. The Trailblazers couldn't rally the rest of the game as they strung together two more hits.

Springfield went on to score six move runs on seven hits.

DiNicola went 2-3 in the second game and 1-3 in the first giving her 3 of the Trailblazers five hits on the day.

MCLA will be back in action tomorrow against Southern Vermont. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 pm.