Ephs Sweep Doubleheader at Trinity

Scores:    

Williams 1, Trinity 0

Williams 7, Trinity 2

Location: Hartford, CT 

Records: Williams 17-10; Trinity 19-14

The Short Story: 

The Ephs Defeated Trinity College in both games at a doubleheader in Hartford, Connecticut. Game 1 saw strong defensive performances by both the Ephs and the Bantams. Sadie Leonard, the NESCAC's second-ranked pitcher, took the mound for the Ephs, while Tiffany Stowers, ranked fifth in the conference, pitched for the Bantams. Even against the Bantam's strong pitching, Kelly McGuigan delivered a home run, scoring the sole run for the game and propelling the Ephs to victory.

Game 2 was defined by strong offensive performances by the Ephs, securing an early lead with two runs in the first inning, thanks to timely hits by Sydney Fleming and Justine Dunaway. The Ephs decisively pulled away in the fifth inning when Justine Dunaway hit a 2 RBI double. The game ended with a Ephs registering a 7-2 win. The Ephs aggressive batting, combined with solid pitching from Katie Blanch and Tayler Wise's clutch defensive plays overwhelmed Trinity throughout the game.

Coach's Take: 

"It was a great day," noted Eph head coach Kris Herman. "Tayler Wise was the star on defense, making game saving catches in both games and setting the tone on offense. Sadie Leonard and Katie Blanch both pitched great and we had a lot of timely hitting, a factor that will win games for you." - Head Coach Kris Herman

Game 1

How it Happened 

• Sadie Leonard put on a stellar performance for the Ephs, striking out 15 and allowing only two hits and one walk. This effort moved Sadie up from the number 3 to the number 2 ranked pitcher in the conference and maintained Leonard's lead in season strikeouts at 115.

• Despite a strong defense by the Bantams, with Tiffany Stowers, the fifth-ranked pitcher in the NESCAC, on the mound, Kelly McGuigan hit a home run in the top of the 4th inning, scoring the game's only run and securing the win for the Ephs. 

Game 2

How it Happened 

• Katie Blanch's strong pitching performance, marked by multiple strikeouts and no walks allowed, coupled with a solid infield defense that effectively handled ground balls, and Tayler Wise's game saving catches in the outfield, were instrumental in the Ephs' defense.

• The Ephs came out firing on offense, scoring two runs in the first inning. With Kelly McGuigan and Kayla Chang on first and second and one out on the board, Sydney Fleming stepped up to the plate, taking advantage of this offensive opportunity and hitting a double. Fleming's timely hit drove in Kayla Chang and moved McGuigan to third. Justine Dunaway hit a sacrifice fly that drove in Kelly McGuigan, putting the Ephs up 2-0. 

• Trinity's first run came in the bottom of the 2nd inning. After a player singled and advanced to third following an error, another Trinity player delivered an RBI single, driving in the runner from third.

• At the top of the third inning, Sydney Fleming hit a home run, her 7th home run of the season, making her tied for the lead in the NESCAC. 

• In the next inning, with two outs and Sydney Miller on first base, Vicky Balderas smashed a double that sent Miller sprinting home, bringing the score to 4-1.

• Trinity scored its second run at the bottom of the fourth inning, when a player reached first on an error, allowing a run to score and advancing two other runners. 

• In the top of the fifth inning, Justine Dunaway extended the lead for the Ephs by hitting a 2 RBI double that drove Kayla Chang and Kelly McGuigan home for the team's 5th and 6th runs. 

• Kaia Glickman scored the final run for the Ephs in the top of the sixth inning. Following Glickman's single, Kayla Chang hit with her own single, advancing to second on a pitching error. The error allowed Glickman to round the bases and score, marking an unearned run that added to the team's tally.