Softball splits with Skidmore

Courtesy of Skidmore Sports Information

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- The Skidmore College softball team rebounded from a first game loss to split its doubleheader with MCLA Thursday afternoon at Wagner Park. The Thoroughbreds dropped the opening game, 11-2, but rallied in game two for a 7-3 win.

Skidmore moves to 7-11 on the season, while MCLA goes to 5-13.

In game one, the Thoroughbreds took a 2-0 lead in the top of second on a two RBI single from Abby Shea, but the Trailblazers exploded for nine runs in the bottom half of the inning.

Jennifer Sicinski put MCLA in front with a three RBI double and Sierra Bailey drove her home with a double two batters later. Michaela DiNicola added an RBI single and Trailblazers pitcher Rachel Quackenbush helped her own cause, plating three with a double off the fence in right center field. MCLA added two runs in the bottom of the fourth, sealing the 11-2 win.

Quackenbush recorded her ninth complete game on the mound for the Trailblazers, allowing no earned runs and three hits, while striking out six.

Fortunato suffered the loss on the mount for the Thoroughbreds, going two and two thirds innings and allowing five runs.

In the nightcap, MCLA pulled ahead 2-0 in the bottom of the second, but Skidmore responded with three runs in the top of the third. Cassie Fishkinstarted the charge, driving in Lauren Fortunato with a double, Mackenzie Whiting ripped a double down the left field line, scoring Lauren Gorstein, and Brittany Osborn gave the Thoroughbreds a 3-2 lead with a sacrifice fly to left field.

MCLA knotted the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the third, and after a scoreless fourth inning, Skidmore pulled away for good, piling on four runs in the fifth. Whiting and Osborn started the rally with back-to-back singles and Lila Rosenfeld and May-Lin McEvoy carried the momentum into their at-bats, both producing RBI singles. Sam Skott later brought home Rosenfeld with a bunt and Fortunato put Skidmore in front 7-3 with an RBI single.

Fishkin was dominant on the mound in her seventh complete game of the season, allowing only three hits over the final three innings to secure her fifth win. She went seven innings, allowing three runs on eight hits with one strike out.

McEvoy was 3-4 at the plate with an RBI, stolen base and a run scored. Whiting went 2-3 with a double and one RBI and Fortunato finished 2-3.

DiNicola paced the Trailblazers offense, going 3-4 with a double. Meczywor and Barbarotta both finished 2-3.

Amanda Meczywor took the loss on the mound for the Trailblazers, pitching four and a third innings, allowing seven run on 12 hits. 

MCLA will host Framingham State on Sunday at 1pm.