Peterson tallies two of the Skyhawks' eight hits
Theilgard recorded her eighth-straight game with a hit |
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. (April 23, 2018) – The Stonehill College softball team was unable to get a run across against Northeast-10 Conference divisional foe Merrimack College, as the Warriors blanked the Skyhawks 8-0 in six innings, Monday afternoon at Martone-Mejail Field.
For the Skyhawks, Olivia Peterson (Westford, Massachusetts/Westford Academy) went 2-for-3 at the plate, while Michelle Theilgard (North Branford, Connecticut/Mercy) went 1-for-2 registering her eighth-straight game with a hit. Carly Rennie (Chelmsford, Massachusetts/Chelmsford) and Gianna Azzato (East Meadow, New York/East Meadow) both went 1-for-3 at the dish while also notching their fourth-straight game with a hit and Azzato recorded her first double of the season.
Both teams recorded a hit in the first inning, but Stonehill stranded two runners on base as Rennie reached on an error by the catcher and Theilgard singled up the middle, while Merrimack left one on base as Nicole Nanof reached on a fielder's choice and stole second, before the side was retired.
The Warriors scored four runs in the bottom of the second off two hits and five walks. After a lead off walk and a sacrifice bunt, for the first out, Merrimack saw its second walk of the inning to get put runners on first and second. Abigail Amato drove the ball out to center field and with a wild pitch Caitlin McBride attempted to get the first run across, but she was tagged out in a run down. Three-straight walks put up two runs, 2-0, and then a single to left field from Alyssa Williamson added on another two for a four-run lead, 4-0.
Stonehill saw back-to-back hits in the top of the fourth with no outs, and Peterson got the bases loaded with her own single to left field, but the Warriors were able to halt the two-out rally with a ground out. Merrimack's Nanof extended the lead to five, 5-0, with a solo blast to center field.
Another run in the bottom of the fifth made the game 6-0, as McBride led off with a base hit to left field and was pinch ran for by Breanna Dupuis who stole second to get in scoring position for Emily Kurkul with one out. Kurkul sent a deep fly ball to right center and Dupuis easily scored from second for the sixth run of the game.
Rennie tallied saw her fourth-straight game with a hit |
Stonehill tried once again to put pressure on Merrimack with its two hits and two left on base in the top of the sixth, but the Warriors defense proved right again. In the back half of the frame, Nanof also connected for a triple and trotted home on a single to right field from Williamson, 7-0. After some position changes, a single, a walk, and a strikeout, Kurkul reached on a fielder's choice to third base with the bases loaded and Stonehill got the second out at third, but Melanie DeAlmeida scored the eighth run of the game, 8-0, to take its 12th shutout of the season.
Stonehill (8-26, 7-17 NE10) will host Bentley University tomorrow, Tuesday, April 24 for a 3:00 p.m. Purple and White game on Fr. Gartland Field, as the series is tied with the Falcons 1-1.
With Stonehill's regular season wrapping up in the coming week, the Skyhawks will be hosting a National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Strikeout For Cancer game on Friday, April 27 against Saint Anselm College at 3:00 p.m. on Fr. Gartland Field. The Skyhawks will be collecting donations at the field on gameday and will continue to collect funds on their GoFundMe page. All proceeds will go directly to the Dana-Farber Cancer Foundation. At the game, the Skyhawks will be honoring all those who have battled or are currently battling all types of cancer. Bracelets and t-shirts will be on site at the game for purchase.
For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter and Facebook. Fans can also download the Stonehill Skyhawks "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android Market.
