NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Cadets honored their three graduating seniors during the last home doubleheader of the year.
Nina Biello (Cranston, R.I.),
Charlotte Charbonneau (West Springfield, MA), and
Alison Northup (Westerly, R.I.) were each celebrated by their teammates and
Coach Matt Cetin before the start of the doubleheader. Friends and family were gathered to cheer support and recognize the dedication of the three seniors. In a heartfelt and emotional time, the players were each escorted onto the field as their teammates shared meaningful and touching stories. Every senior day is special and each senior athlete should be commended for their hard work, dedication, and continuation of the sport they so deeply care for.
During the doubleheader, the Cadets faced two of the best pitchers in the GNAC Conference as the Monks put Meredith Pence and Emily Eagleston in the circle. Pence came into the game as one of the winningest pitchers in the conference so far this year with a league best 1.51 ERA. In the second game, the Cadets had to contend with an equally dangerous pitcher in Eagleston who sports the third best ERA in the GNAC at 2.06. The Monk pitchers were as good as advertised as each threw a complete game and added to their win total.
The opening game of the doubleheader was a tight game until late. Although the Cadets struggled offensively with Pence in the circle, they played very well defensively. The Cadets surrendered a single run in the second inning on a fielder's choice and then another in the third inning. The score remained 0-2 until the top of the sixth inning. The Monks were able to bunt for a hit to begin the inning and then drive in a run off of a double hit into the gap. The Monks extended their lead to 0-4 later in the inning.
In the bottom of the sixth inning the Cadets finally got on the board. Outfielder
Julia Vawter (Pelham, N.H.) reached first on a fielder's choice and then alertly advanced to second base after a wild pitch.
Maren McGinn (Georgia, Vt.) drove in the Cadet's run with a single to center. McGinn was then able to advance as the Monks tried to unsuccessfully make a play at the plate against Vawter. Unfortunately,
Laura Deaton (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) flied out to center field on the next at-bat which ended the Cadet offensive.
The seventh inning saw the Monks add two more runs before shutting down the final Norwich batters in order.
The second game of the doubleheader saw a Monks offense powered by Olivia Howe combined with tough pitching from Eagleston. Howe was able to get under two balls and the wind blowing out to left field did the rest. Her two home runs on the day provided all the offense the Monks would need behind Eagleston's pitching. In the third inning the Cadets closed the gap to 1-4 but could not get any closer.
Emma DeGoosh (Bradford, Vt.) doubled to left field and then was brought home by a McGinn single in the next at-bat.
The Cadets will have one final opportunity to take the field this season as they travel to Johnson & Wales University on Friday for the final doubleheader of the year.
