NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich University softball team returned to the win column in emphatic fashion on Thursday afternoon, sweeping a non-conference doubleheader from Vermont State University Johnson at the NU Softball Field by scores of 9-0 and 13-3. Both contests were shortened by mercy rule.
The Cadets piled up 27 hits across the twin bill and generated consistent offense from top to bottom of the lineup, while
Madison DeCota (Strafford, N.H.) and
Delia Mannion (Ramsey, N.J.) each earned wins in the circle.
Charlii Carbajal Sanchez (Broomfield, Colo.),
Emily Munson (Angleton, Texas),
Abbigale Williams (Andover, Vt.),
Ellie Laroche (Essex, Vt.), and DeCota were among those who all turned in big offensive performances during the sweep, as Norwich improved with a pair of dominant home victories.
Game 1: Norwich 9, VTSU Johnson 0 (5 innings)
Norwich wasted little time taking control in the opener, striking for two runs in the first inning.
Jessica Zalucki (Burnt Hills, N.Y.) came around to score on an RBI double by Carbajal Sanchez, before Munson lifted a sacrifice fly to left that brought home DeCota and gave the Cadets a 2-0 advantage.
The Cadets added another run in the second, when
Josephine Whitney (Holbrook, Mass.) scored on a VTSU Johnson error following a fly ball off the bat of Carbajal Sanchez.
Norwich continued to create separation in the third. Laroche scored on an RBI double to center from Munson, who later crossed the plate herself to push the lead to 5-0.
The Cadets broke the game open in the fourth. Munson delivered again with a single through the left side that plated both Laroche and DeCota, while Zalucki also scored on the play to extend Norwich's edge to 7-0.
Two more runs came home in the fifth, as Carbajal Sanchez and
Brianna Vitale (Rock Tavern, N.Y.) both scored on a wild pitch to bring the contest to its final margin.
Norwich finished with 12 hits in the opener, led by Laroche, who went a perfect 3-for-3 and scored once. Carbajal Sanchez added a 2-for-4 effort with a double, an RBI, and a run scored, while Munson finished 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. DeCota also collected two hits and scored twice, and Zalucki reached base and scored two runs.
In the circle, DeCota tossed a five-inning shutout, allowing just two hits while striking out four in her eighth win of the season.
Game 2: Norwich 13, VTSU Johnson 3 (5 innings)
The nightcap opened with VTSU Johnson pushing three runs across in the top of the first, but Norwich answered immediately with a six-run response and never looked back.
Courtney Thomas (Strafford, N.H.) jump-started the comeback with a two-run double to left that scored Carbajal Sanchez and Zalucki. Williams followed with an RBI single, Mannion was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in another run,
Emma Thompson (Westminster, Vt.) drew a walk to plate one more, and Zalucki capped the inning with an RBI groundout as Norwich surged in front, 6-3.
The Cadets kept the pressure on in the second. Munson ripped a two-run double to center, Williams followed with an RBI triple to right, and Mannion added an RBI double up the middle to stretch the Norwich lead to 10-3.
Norwich added three more in the fourth to put the game away. Whitney reached on an error that allowed Thompson to score, DeCota followed with an RBI triple, and later came home on another VTSU Johnson miscue to seal the 13-3 victory.
The Cadets racked up 15 hits in game two. Munson led the way with a 3-for-4 performance, two RBIs, and two runs scored, while Williams went 3-for-3 with a triple, two RBIs, and two runs scored. DeCota added two hits, including a triple, and drove in a run, while Thomas went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and two RBIs. Carbajal Sanchez, Laroche, Mannion, and Thompson all added key contributions as part of the balanced attack.
Mannion earned the win in the circle, working all five innings while allowing three runs on three hits.
Norwich will make a quick turnaround in its next outing, traveling to Vermont State University Lyndon for a non-conference doubleheader, with game one scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
