WILLIAMSTOWN, MA. — Senior Ali Hart reached base six times over 10 innings Saturday, helping to ignite an offensive attack for Williams that produced 19 runs in a 9-5, 10-1 sweep of NESCAC West and Little 3 rival Wesleyan at Cole Field.
With the sweep, Williams improved to 9-11 overall, 3-3 in the NESCAC West. The Ephs host Springfield Wednesday for a doubleheader beginning at 3:30 p.m. Wesleyan fell to 8-13 overall, 3-3 in the conference.
Hart finished the day 4 for 5 with two walks. She scored 5 of the Ephs 19 runs on the day from her lead-off spot and reached base six of the seven times she went to the plate. Sophomore Ali Graebner also had a big day, going 3 for 6 with 6 RBI in the two games. First year Mo Frank contributed with a 4 for 6 day with three runs scored and an RBI.
In the nightcap, Ally Beatty gave Wesleyan a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when she blooped a single over third, stole second, and scored on a wild pitch. Williams quickly answered with five runs in the bottom of the inning. Hart and Frank led off with singles. After an error and a wild pitch allowed the Ephs to take the lead, Lindsey Precht laid down a perfect squeeze bunt for a 3-1 lead and Amanda Correnti — 3 for 4 on the day — shot a two-run single through the circle for the four-run cushion.
The Ephs added four runs in the second to build a commanding 9-1 lead. Hart drew a lead-off walk and Frank beat out a single to shortstop. After an out, both runners moved up on a passed ball. Graebner scored the runners with a line drive single through the right side. Precht followed with her first collegiate home run, a two-run shot to center.
That was more than enough for Williams starter Emma Harrington, who improved to 6-3 by tossing five innings, giving up six hits but no walks and striking out four. She was helped out by left fielder Ensor, who made two nice diving catches.
Caitlyn Grudzinski took the loss for the Cards, tossing just one frame. Laura Getchell relieved and went three innings, allowing five hits and five runs while walking two and striking out five. Beatty was 2 for 3 for the Cardinals.
Wesleyan also took the lead in the first game of the day, scoring two runs on one hit in the first inning when Chrissy Bello was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, and Alexis Kral drew a bases-loaded walk from Eph started Megan Casey.
Williams tied the game in its half of the first when Hart walked, stole second, and, with two outs, Graebner launched her first home run of the season.The Ephs broke open the game with a four-run bottom of the fourth. Theresa Legan's double down the right-field line scored Merrilee Weston, who led off with a single. Hart followed with a line drive single to left that scored Correnti, who had singled. After Hart stole second, Frank beat out a bunt that scored Legan. Finally, a sacrifice fly off the bat of Ensor plated Hart for the 6-2 lead.
With Williams leading 9-3, Wesleyan made it interesting in the top of the seventh. With one out, Beatty doubled to left. Tori Redding singled and Beatty scored on a wild pitch with Redding taking second. With two outs, Epstein drew a walk off Casey and Eph coach Kris Herman called on Harrington to close the game.
Bello greeted Harrington with an RBI-single, but the Eph first year induced a pop out to second to end the contest. Casey earned the victory, going 6 2/3 innings and allowing only four hits and four walks while striking out five.
Wesleyan's Dana Levy took the loss, going the full six and giving up 10 hits and nine runs. Redding was 2 for 4 with two runs scored for the Cardinals.
Hart went 2 for 3 with three runs scored for Williams, while Graebner was 2 for 3 with four RBI.
