Ephs Sweep Bates at Home Opener Double Header

Scores:    

Williams 1, Bates 0

Williams 4, Bates 0

Location: Williamstown, MA 

Records: Williams 10-7; Bates 3-12

The Short Story: 

With the sun shining down on the field in their first home games of the season, the Ephs shut out Bates College twice with their strong pitching and defense. In Game 1, Sadie Leonard proved to be a formidable strikeout threat on the mound with 18 strikeouts in 7 innings. The Ephs' defense in Game 2 provided strong support for pitcher Katie Blanch, turning Bates's potential advances into outs. 

Offensively, the team initially struggled to capitalize on their scoring chances throughout Game 1. However, Sydney Fleming's crucial RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning demonstrated the Ephs' clutch performance under pressure. In Game 2, the Ephs boosted their score with key plays, including Tayler Wise's double and Sydney Flemming's ground out RBI, followed by Lousia Coughlin scoring on Ronni Ramos' single. The team's offensive momentum continued into the sixth inning, with Kelly McGuigan and Ronni Ramos scoring the final two runs for the Ephs. 

Coach's Take: 

"We had two shutouts so that was exciting. Pitching was great and defense backed them up. We want to get our offense in check a little bit, but we scored enough to win and that's what we are here to do. We have lots to learn but it's great to be successful while you are learning." - Head Coach Kris Herman

Game 1

How it Happened 

• Sadie Leonard dominated for the Ephs, allowing only one base hit over seven innings and striking out 18 batters. 

• While the team had a tough time capitalizing on offensive opportunities, Sydney Fleming's pivotal RBI single changed the game for the Ephs. With two outs at the bottom of the 7th, Fleming singled to left field, driving Taylor Wise home and securing the win. 

Game 2

How it Happened 

• Katie Blanch had a strong pitching performance, consistently inducing ground outs and fly outs and strikeouts, several batters, which kept Bates' scoring at bay throughout the game. 

• Tayler Wise was the first person to make it on the scoreboard for the Ephs, hammering a big hit to left field for a double; Kayla Chang followed with a strategic bunt, advancing Wise to third and stealing second herself. Sydney Fleming hit a ground ball to second base, allowing Wise to score the first run.

• Louisa Coughlin, pinch-running for Justine Dunaway, advanced to second on Vicky Trujillo Baldera's grounder hit to second. Coughlin scored thanks to a single by Ronni Ramos. 

• In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Ephs continued to drive up the score, adding two runs. Kelly McGuigan's single and subsequent run from Ronni Romos's RBI single solidified their lead. An outfielder error later allowed Ramos to score.