Ephs Edge Tufts, Fall to WPI in Monday Doubleheader

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Scores:
Game 1: Tufts 0, Williams 1
Game 2: WPI 6, Williams 3
 
Location: Williamstown, MA
Records: Williams 15-11, Tufts 20-9, WPI 20-12
 
The Short Story: Pitcher Elyse Chan '25 threw a complete-game gem to edge Tufts in a tight, 1-0 game, but the Ephs fell behind early against Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and couldn't catch up in a 6-3 defeat.
 
Coach's Take: "[Chan] did a great job. She didn't get into many jams, and when she did, she got out of them. We need more run support, though. Things are just not bouncing our way on offense right now. Either we're pressing or we're just not seeing the ball well enough." – Kris Herman
 
How it Happened

• In the bottom of the second, Eph catcher Sydney Fleming '24 tried to score on a passed ball but was thrown out at home. Second baseman Rachel Neugart '22, however, advanced to second on the passed ball and scored the game's only run on a ground ball by designated player Kaia Glickman '25 that went through the legs of Tufts first baseman Nicole Russo.
• The Jumbos' best chance to tie the game came in the top of the sixth, when they put runners on the corners with just one out. First baseman Lexi Grein then hit a hard ground ball right at Chan, who threw out Tufts center fielder Michelle Adelman at the plate for the second out. Chan then won a seven-pitch duel against designated player Emma Jacobson, who grounded out to short to end the threat.
• In Game 2, WPI got to Williams pitcher Adhya Tandon '23 early, scoring three runs in the first inning. Designated player Mara Kipnis '22 hit a solo home run to make it 3-1, but the Engineers struck right back in the top of the second on a bases-loaded walk by catcher Jocelyn Diaz.
• The Ephs clawed back in the third with two runs, on an RBI single by shortstop Ronni Ramos '24 and an error by third baseman Kallie Case that allowed Kipnis to score. But the Engineers held them at bay for the rest of the game and added two insurance runs in the top of the seventh. 

Inside the Box Score

• Chan enjoyed her best start of the season against a formidable Tufts lineup, throwing a three-hit, complete-game shutout. Today marked her first start without giving up a run as an Eph. Aside from right fielder Keila McCabe, who went 2 for 2 with a walk, the Jumbos batted just 1 for 24 (.042).
• The Ephs held both the Jumbos and Engineers without a single extra-base hit.
• In Game 2, Kipnis went 3 for 4, including her team-leading 5^th home run, and narrowly missed a second homer on a double off the right-field wall in the third inning. Kipnis fell a triple short of the cycle and scored two of the Ephs' three runs. 

Next Up for the Ephs

• This Friday at 5:00PM, Williams will play Amherst for the first time this season, at home. The Ephs will then travel to Amherst to complete the three-game set with a doubleheader beginning Saturday at 12:00PM.