Clark, Moroski HR for AMCATS in GNAC Match-up

Sunday, April 1, 2012 (Newton, Massachusetts) - The Mount Ida College softball team captured their fourth straight Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) victory Sunday afternoon over visiting Anna Maria College snatching game one by a score of 6-4 and again in game two winning 8-7. 

The Mustangs improve to an overall record of 11-13 with a league slate of 5-7.  The visitors remain winless at 0-20 with a conference standing of 0-12.

Although Mount Ida trailed 2-0 at the opening of game one, the hosts went on to score five runs through the next six innings paired with solid pitching from junior hurler Devan Meeker (Bantam, CT/Litchfield) and pinpoint defense solidifying the 6-4 win for the hosts. 

Anna Maria ace, freshman Nichole Lowe (Saugus, MA/Saugus), took the loss giving up nine hits with three K's and a base-on-balls.

Offensively Mount Ida was led by three Mustangs with two hits each from senior captain Erin Dufficy (Shelton, CT/Shelton) and junior's Tiffany Hamann (Newton, MA/Newton North) and Meeker also driving in one run a piece.  Three other Mount Ida players added a hit in the victory from junior Meghan Moriarty (Holbrook, MA/Holbrook) and freshmen Gina Onorevole (Lafayette, NJ/High Point Regional) and Rayelle Pierson (Pittsfield, MA/Saint Joseph Regional). 

The visitors saw a two run home run from senior outfielder Mary Moroski (Worcester, MA/Holy Name) in the second inning and another RBI in the third adding two hits and a run scored.  Lowe also contributed at the dish with two hits and a run batted in blasting a double in the final frame to drive in one.  Three other AMCATS added a hit in the opening game of the twin bill. 

Game two saw four runs in the bottom of the first inning from the Mustangs by Guerrero, Pierson and Onorevole tattooing AMCAT freshman pitcher Justine LaLonde (Shirley, NY/Longwood) who was pulled in the opening frame.  The visitors held off Mount Ida eventually making it a one run game after a three run home run from Anna Maria freshman Elizabeth Clark (Dover, NH/Saint Thomas Aquinas).  Mount Ida would gain insurance runs from the fourth frame through the sixth to close out their fifth GNAC win with solid pitching from Rayelle Pierson with Mustang number two hurler Denise Picard (Winooski, VT/Winooski) sidelined with an injury suffered the day prior.

The AMCATS kept it close through the final stretch of the contest but couldn't overcome the Mustangs lead taking their second loss on the day.  Clark again was solid at the dish for the visitor with two hits and three RBI's while junior infielder Lauren Kiritsy (Worcester, MA/Holy Name) also chipped in two hits and three ribbie's (RBI's).  Anna Maria junior Melissa Stedman (Mason, NH/Mascenic Regional) and freshman Christina Turley (Waterford, CT/Waterford) tallied two hits each with Turley adding an RBI. 

Pierson took the victory for Mount Ida for her first win of the season on the mound going all seven innings for the complete game surrendering 12 hits with five strikeouts and four base-on-balls as well as six of the seven runs being earned.  The Mount Ida defense was solid along with outstanding individual performances at the plate solidifying the league bid.  Six Anna Maria errors also contributed to the Mustangs cause. 

Lalonde, who was pulled in the first inning, gave the ball up to Lowe who had pitched game one taking the loss after giving up four runs in the opening frame.  Lowe surrendered 10 hits with two K's and four earned runs and a wild pitch. 

The Mustangs will travel to non-league Wheelock College Tuesday evening for a double dip with game one start time slated for 3:00 p.m.  The AMCATS will host GNAC member St. Joseph College (CT) Wednesday evening staring at 3:30 p.m. in Paxton, Massachusetts.