BOSTON, Mass. - The Norwich University softball team continued Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play on Friday afternoon, dropping both ends of a road doubleheader to Emmanuel College at Clemente Field by scores of 10-1 and 14-4 in contests shortened by the mercy rule.
Madison DeCota (Strafford, N.H.) led the Norwich offense across the twin bill, combining for four hits, including a pair of doubles, while driving in two runs.
Charlii Carbajal Sanchez (Broomfield, Colo.) added two hits in the second game and scored twice, while
Jessica Zalucki (Burnt Hills, N.Y.) reached base and scored in both contests.
Game 1: Emmanuel 10, Norwich 1 (6 innings)
Emmanuel seized control early in the opener, erupting for five runs in the bottom of the first inning behind a series of extra-base hits to build a sizable advantage.
The Saints added another run in the second on a groundout, stretching the lead to 6-0 before Norwich broke through in the third.
Zalucki reached and eventually came around to score on an Emmanuel error, with Carbajal Sanchez swiping second during the sequence to help generate the Cadets' lone run of the game.
Norwich threatened in a few spots throughout the contest, collecting five hits and three walks, but Emmanuel starter Carmen Crockett limited further damage while striking out 11 over six innings.
The Saints put the game away in the sixth, first on an RBI double before a three-run home run extended the margin to the final 10-1 score.
DeCota paced the Norwich lineup in game one, finishing 2-for-3 with a double, while
Emily Munson (Angleton, Texas) and
Delia Mannion (Ramsey, N.J.) each added a hit. Zalucki scored the Cadets' lone run and reached base twice in the setback.
Game 2: Emmanuel 14, Norwich 4 (5 innings)
The second game remained scoreless through the opening frame before Emmanuel broke it open in the second, capitalizing on patience at the plate and timely contact to score eight runs and take command.
Norwich answered in the fourth with a brief rally. Carbajal Sanchez and
Courtney Thomas (Strafford, N.H.) helped spark the inning before
Ellie Laroche (Essex, Vt.) singled home the Cadets' first run. Munson followed with another RBI single to cut the deficit to 8-2.
Emmanuel responded immediately in the bottom half, putting together a six-run inning to reestablish separation and move in front, 14-2.
The Cadets managed two more runs in the fifth. Carbajal Sanchez scored and Zalucki also came around to cross the plate before DeCota ripped a two-run double and advanced to third on the throw, trimming the final margin to 14-4.
Norwich collected six hits in the nightcap, led by DeCota's 2-for-3 showing with two RBIs. Carbajal Sanchez also went 2-for-3 and scored twice, while Laroche and Munson each drove in a run.
The Cadets will make another quick turnaround for their season finale, returning home to the NU Softball Field to host Regis College for a GNAC Senior Day doubleheader on Saturday, with game one set for 12:00 p.m. Prior to the opener, Norwich will honor
Grace Richardson as part of the program's Senior Day festivities.
