Scores:
Game 1: Williams 1, Springfield 0
Game 2: Williams 11, Springfield 0
Location: Springfield, MA
Records: Williams 2-0; Opponent 0-2
The Short Story:
The Ephs opened their season with a doubleheader at Springfield College, starting the year on a high note by sweeping both games. The team set the tone for a competitive year with two shut-out wins.
In game one, Sadie Leonard pitched a gem, keeping Springfield's offense off the board. The game remained scoreless until the sixth inning when Williams finally broke through. Kaia Glickman's RBI single brought in the lone run to secure the win. In game two, Katie Blanch pitched five scoreless innings while the Ephs' offense erupted for 11 runs to secure the sweep.
Coach's Take:
Head Coach Kris Herman commented when asked about the game, "Sadie and Katie both pitched great and everyone contributed to the wins." Reflecting on the main takeaways from the game, Herman added, "One, we have a lot of people who can help us win games. Two, we had some great base running reps and some really great at bats. Three, there are a lot of good teams out there we will need to stay locked in every pitch."
Game 1
How it Happened
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Sadie Leonard opened their season with a dominant pitching performance, striking out 13 batters and only allowing four hits over 7 innings.
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Both teams struggled to generate offensive momentum in the first five innings, with Williams managing just one hit during that stretch.
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The Ephs finally broke the deadlock in the 6th inning when Katie Blanch tripled to right field, and Kaia Glickman followed up with a single up the middle that brought Blanch home to give Williams a 1-0 lead.
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Springfield attempted a late rally in the sixth, putting runners on base, but Leonard responded with timely strikeouts to secure the win.
Game 2
How it Happened
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Katie Blanch pitched an excellent second game, allowing no runs and surrendering only one hit over five innings.
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The Ephs offense came out firing in the first inning, capitalizing on their strong hitting and defensive errors from Springfield.
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Kayla Chang and Vicky Trujillo Balderas led off with singles, and Justine Dunaway walked to load the bases, setting up an early scoring opportunity
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Sydney Fleming singled to right field, driving Chang home. A throwing error allowed Trujillo Balderas to score, moving Fleming and Dunaway to second and third.
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Katie Blanch reached first on a fielder's choice, allowing Dunaway to score and make it 3-0.
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Aprill Medrano grounded out to first, driving in Fleming and advancing Blanch to third.
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A series of walks loaded the bases, and Blanch scored as Kayla Chang reached first on a fielding error by the pitcher.
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Lauren Davis capped off the first inning by scoring the sixth run after Trujillo Balderas hit an RBI single to left field.
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In the third inning, Sydney Fleming added a 2-RBI triple to right field, bringing home Justine Dunaway and Vicky Trujillo Balderas, both of whom had reached base on walks.
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In the fifth inning, Williams scored two more runs: Aleks Albert doubled to center field, and Chang hit a triple to left, bringing Albert home. Justine Dunaway reached first on an error by the third basemen allowing Chang to score.
Up Next: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, March 15th at noon in Troy, NY
