JOHNSON, VT. – The Johnson State College softball team fell to New England College 9-1 and 3-2 in a North Atlantic Conference (NAC) doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon.
The Badgers fall to 1-15 (0-6 NAC) while the Pilgrims improve to 16-16 (5-3 NAC).
New England College 9, Johnson 1 (5 Innings)
NEC got on the board early with three runs in the first. Gabriella Marcheschi opened the scoring with an RBI double that plated Alexa Scribner. Marcheschi later scored on a sacrifice fly by Jessica Carrol to push the lead to 2-0. Taylor Dill drove in the Pilgrims third run on an RBI single that brought Joslyn Gallagher in to score.
Johnson got one back in the bottom half in the inning when an NEC error allowed Anna Bingham (Island Pond, Vt.) to score.
The Pilgrims pushed their lead back to three on a Marcheschi RBI single in the top of the second that drove Chanel Welch in.
After adding one run in the third on a Debra Mazzeo RBI single, the Pilgrims poured on four runs in the fourth to end the scoring at 9-1.
Mazzeo allowed one unearned run on five hits and one walk, while striking out six in five innings to earn the win. Hannah Leroux (Albany, Vt.) was tagged with the loss, giving up nine runs (five earned), and allowing 12 hits and five walks.
New England College 3, Johnson 2
NEC tallied all three of their runs in the top of the second. Christine McNeil drove in the first Pilgrim run on a double that plated Gallagher. Welch followed later that inning with an RBI double that brought two more runs in to score.
The Badgers were able to break out against NEC'S Marcheschi in the bottom of the fifth when Kaitlynn Woodward (White River, Vt.) hit an RBI double that brought Bingham and Abby McRae (Milton, Vt.) in to score.
Woodward was able to work her way out of trouble in the top of the sixth after a single, hit by pitch and sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third with two out. Woodward got Marcheschi to fly out to get out of the inning unscathed.
The Badgers threatened in the seventh, getting the tying run in scoring position, but Marcheschi closed the door on Johnson to end the game at 3-2.
Marcheschi allowed two runs on seven hits, one walk and five strikeouts to earn the win. Woodward was given the loss, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits in seven innings.
Next Up
Johnson will host UMaine-Farmington in a NAC doubleheader on Saturday, April 29th with games starting at 1:00 p.m.