WEST HARTFORD, Conn. -The Norwich University
softball team split a conference doubleheader with GNAC foe St.
Joseph (Conn.) on Thursday afternoon. The Cadets dropped a 3-2
decision in the first game, but rallied for a split by taking a
15-9 verdict in the nightcap.
Norwich moves to 13-9 (9-5 GNAC) following the split, while St.
Joseph (Conn.) moves to 10-6 (6-5 GNAC).
NU jumped on top, 1-0, in the top of the first inning in game
one on an RBI groundout by Whitney Grennon. St. Joseph (Conn.) came
right back in the bottom of the first with two runs of its own to
take a 2-1 lead after the opening frame.
The Cadets tied the score at 2-2 in the sixth inning on an RBI
single by Tiana Garaboldi, but St. Joseph (Conn.) pulled it out
with a run in the bottom of the seventh. Norwich actually outhit
St. Joseph (Conn.), 8-7, in the game, but the Cadets could not
capitalize on all of their chances, leaving eight runners on base.
Codi Collins and Lindsey Fickett each rapped out two hits in the
opener to pace the Norwich offense. Mackenzie Pratt got the
tough-luck loss in the circle for the Cadets. The freshman allowed
just three runs on seven hits over six innings of work. She struck
out three and walked two.
St. Joseph (Conn.) jumped all over Norwich in the second game,
taking a 7-2 lead into the third inning on the strength of a
six-run second. The Cadets quickly came back, scoring a single run
in the top of the third, and plating six more in the top of the
fourth to go on top 9-7. St. Joseph (Conn.) tied it up at 9-9 with
two runs in the bottom of the fourth, but Norwich put the game away
with two runs in the sixth and four more in the seventh.
Norwich outhit St. Joseph (Conn.), 18-15, and the Cadets took
advantage of four errors to plate six unearned runs in the contest.
Lindsay Carey went 1-for-4 with a clutch three-run double in the
team's six-run fourth inning. Fickett and Marley Balasco both went
3-for-4 in the nightcap to help pace the Cadets' attack.
Pratt came on in relief of game two starter Emily Bean to earn
the win. She silenced St. Joe's bats, allowing just two runs over
six innings. Pratt struck out five and did not walk a single batter
en route to the victory.
Norwich returns to action on Friday, April 11, when the Cadets
travel to Boston to take on GNAC rival Simmons in a conference
doubleheader slated to begin at 3 p.m.
