WESTON, Mass. – The Regis College softball team dropped a doubleheader against conference foe Elms College 8-2 and 9-1 on Thursday night at a cold Regis Stadium. With the losses, the Pride fall to 8-15, 7-9 NECC and with the victories, the Blazers improve to 14-12, 13-3 NECC.
Game One: Elms 8, Regis 2
The first game of a twinbill was a pitcher's duel up until the fourth inning before the bats got hot. Elms jumped on the board during the top half of the fourth when they recorded five hits in the inning which led to the first two runs of the contest. After loading the bases, Blazers catcher Kierstan Skinner (S. Windsor, Conn.) stroked a single to right field that plated teammate Rachel Beery (Springfield, Mass.). The next batter, Kacey Gifford (Suffield, Conn.) hit an infield single to shortstop for the second run of the inning and gave Elms a 2-0 lead during the middle innings.
During the top half of the sixth, the Blazers looked for some insurance runs and got some after Gifford swatted a home run to center field that brought home three runs and increased Elms' lead to 5-0.
An inning later Elms added a few more runs on a walk and a two RBI single that put them up comfortably 8-0.
However, the Pride wouldn't go down without a fight as they looked to comeback in the game and got a triple from freshman leftfielder Jess Perez (Lynn, Mass.). Senior outfielder Kelsey Heath (Lowell, Mass.) stepped into the box and roped a mammoth blast into the centerfield screen for a two run homer.
Regis continued to rally as Allison Caloggero (Medford, Mass.) was hit by a pitch, Alyssa McKinnon (Raynham, Mass.) followed with a double to right center that advanced Caloggero to third. Sophomore shortstop Rachel DesRochers (Westford, Mass.) stepped to the plate with two runners on in scoring position, but was set down swinging to end the ball game.
Senior hurler Beth Grimes (Terryville, Conn.) threw a gem, striking out 11 batters in seven strong innings en route to her seventh victory of the season. Katie Cuozzo (Lynn, Mass.) also hurled seven innings but was tagged for 15 hits and seven runs while striking out six batters.
Alyssa McKinnon went 4-for-4 with a double and three singles during the first game for the Pride while Kasey Gifford went 3-for-4 with a round tripper, five RBI a run scored and a walk.
Game Two: Elms 9, Regis 1 (Five Innings)
The Blazers bats continued to make noise during the second game of the doubleheader. During the top of the first, shortstop Gina DiGiovanni (Springfield, Mass.) laid down a sacrifice bunt that scored Kierstan Skinner and gave Elms the early 1-0 advantage.
Elms exploded for eight runs in the bottom of the second by using the long ball to their advantage. After getting the first run on a fielding error, Kierstan Skinner had the bases juiced. She responded with a towering drive to center field that went over the fence for a grand slam. A few batters later Rachel Beery roped a two run jack over the wall that put the Blazers way out in front and they ended their scoring binge with another run scored on a throwing error.
Regis got a run back in the bottom of the fourth inning when Allison Caloggero grounded out to second base and her teammate Kelsey Heath scored home on the throw.
Jessica Colson was fantastic on the mound as she hurled a one hitter in five innings of work while striking out five batters and issuing one walk for her seventh win of the season.
Amanda Navarro (Stoneham, Mass.) broke up the no-no in the bottom half of the fifth inning with a pinch hit single down the left field line.
The Pride return to action Saturday afternoon for two senior day contests against Becker at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. The Blazers continue their road trip with a twinbill at Lesley to wrap up the season at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.