NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich University softball team produced 19 hits across Sunday's Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) North Divisional doubleheader on the NU Softball Field, but visiting New England College completed the divisional sweep, taking game one by a 10-6 final before claiming the nightcap, 7-4.
Madison DeCota (Strafford, N.H.) headlined the Norwich offense over the two games, combining for five hits, three extra-base knocks, and three RBIs while also scoring four runs.
Jessica Zalucki (Burnt Hills, N.Y.) added four hits and three runs scored in the twin bill, while
Emily Munson (Angleton, Texas),
Abbigale Williams (Andover, Vt.), and
Ellie Laroche (Essex, Vt.) all contributed multi-hit performances during the afternoon.
Game 1: New England College 10, Norwich 6
Norwich struck first in the opener, as DeCota launched a solo home run to left field in the bottom of the first inning to hand the Cadets an early 1-0 lead.
The Pilgrims responded in the third, capitalizing on a Norwich miscue to plate three runs and take a 3-1 advantage.
The Cadets answered immediately in the home half of the inning. Zalucki came around to score on a DeCota RBI single to center, with DeCota advancing to second on the throw, before Laroche followed with a sacrifice fly to left that plated DeCota and evened the game at 3-3.
New England College moved back in front in the fourth on a fielder's choice, before adding to its lead in the fifth with back-to-back RBI hits to stretch the margin to 6-3.
Norwich again chipped into the deficit in the bottom half, as DeCota ripped a double to left center to drive in Zalucki.
The Pilgrims extended their lead in the sixth with a two-run single, but the Cadets continued to battle. Munson came around to score on an RBI double to left center by Williams, and Zalucki followed with an RBI single to shortstop that brought Norwich back within two at 8-6.
New England College added two insurance runs in the seventh to secure the 10-6 result.
DeCota paced Norwich in game one, going 3-for-4 with a home run, double, three RBIs, and two runs scored. Zalucki finished 2-for-3 with a walk, two runs scored, and an RBI, while Williams added a 2-for-2 effort with a double and an RBI.
Game 2: New England College 7, Norwich 4
The Pilgrims once again jumped out early in game two, scoring four runs in the opening inning to take control.
Norwich answered right back in the bottom of the first. After DeCota and Zalucki both crossed the plate,
Courtney Thomas (Strafford, N.H.) delivered a two-run double to left center to cut the deficit in half.
New England College added to its lead in the third, capitalizing on a Norwich error to push the advantage to 6-2.
The Cadets responded in the bottom half, as Munson singled through the right side to drive in
Charlii Carbajal Sanchez (Broomfield, Colo.), and Williams added a sacrifice fly to center that brought home DeCota to trim the margin to 6-4.
That proved to be as close as Norwich would come. The Pilgrims tacked on an insurance run in the fifth and held off the Cadets down the stretch to complete the sweep.
Norwich collected nine hits in the nightcap, led by Zalucki and DeCota with two apiece. Munson also recorded a two-hit game and an RBI, while Thomas supplied the Cadets' biggest offensive swing with her two-run double in the first inning.
The Cadets will step out of conference play for their next outing, hosting Vermont State University Johnson in a doubleheader on Thursday, Apr. 16, with game one scheduled for 2:00 p.m., followed by a 4:00 p.m. second game.
