Gordon Sweeps Softball in Non-Conference Test

WENHAM, Mass.— The Lasell softball team dropped a pair of non-conference contests to a hot-hitting Gordon College on Tuesday afternoon. The Lasers drop to 6-18 this season, while the Fighting Scots now ride a season-best four game win streak at 10-19-1.

Game One: Lasell 1 – 3 Gordon

Sophomore Emily Kline (Park Ridge, N.J.) was sharp early, holding the Lasers to only one hit through the first three innings. The Gordon offense helped out its pitcher in the second inning with a clutch two-out single by Kaelie Mercado (Granada Hills, Calif.) to score Kline she led off the inning with a double.

Gordon continued to find the gaps in the bottom of the fourth as Sarah Ryder (Telford, Pa.) smacked a leadoff double to the wall in right center. The Lasers nearly got out of trouble, but Ryder advanced home on a wild pitch to make it a 2-0 game.

The Scots increased the lead to three runs in the bottom of the fifth with on a pair of singles by Meredith Kercher (Ipswich, Mass.) and Ryder. Kercher beat out a throw with two outs and an error in the outfield after a single by Ryder allowed the designated player to come all the way home.

Lasell got one back in the top of the sixth. Erin Smith (Gorham, Maine) walked with one out before sprinting around to home on a double to left center by Emily DeAngelis (Shelton, Conn.).

Gordon closed out the Lasers with a 1-2-3 inning in the seventh to win 3-1.

Kline held the visitors to only three hits scattered over seven strong innings. The sophomore struck out five batters and issued two walks. Lasell's Eileen Bergin (Arlington, Mass.) K'd seven Gordon batters, but surrendered two earned runs in six innings.

Game Two: Lasell 5 – 7 Gordon   

A back and forth game ensued in the nightcap, but this time with Lasell striking first in the top of the opening frame.

The first two Lasers got on base with singles before Laura MacLeod (Old Saybrook, Conn.) tallied an RBI with a single in front of the left fielder. Second game starter Abigail Knowlton (Deer Isle, Maine) was able to get a strikeout and an infield pop to leave runners on second and third.

Gordon tied the game in the bottom of the second with a pair of singles by senior Marissa Meenan (Wayne, Pa.) and Katie Dariano (Albany, N.Y.).

However, the tied game did not last for long with Lasell taking the lead right back in the third. Smith led off the inning with a single and took second on a defensive miscue by the Gordon outfield. A sacrifice bunt moved the speedy Smith down to third before LeBlanc knocked her in with a single to the hold at short.

The visitors added to their lead in the fifth inning, again thanks to a leadoff batter getting on base. Brenna Hewitt (Ardsley, N.Y.) then advanced to second on a wild pitch and to third on a groundout. The Fighting Scots looked to get out of a jam with a possible double play on a lineout, but a dropped ball allowed Hewitt to score to make it 3-1.

Gordon's slugging made an appearance in the bottom of the fifth. Mercado notched a one-out single in the gap over the second baseman's head before Ryder put two in scoring position with another double to left. Kline helped her staff mate out with a two-RBI double to dead center to knot the game at three.

Once again, Lasell snatched the advantage back from Gordon in the sixth. The Lasers capitalized on Gordon's third error of the game when Hewitt poked a double down the right-field line with two outs.

After holding the Scots in check in the bottom of the sixth, Lasell added another score in the next half inning despite only coming up with one hit. LeBlanc stayed hot with a one-out single against the reliever, Kline, before eventually scoring on a wild pitch and passed ball in succession.

Gordon came up to bat with three outs to change its outcome. Megan Jenkerson (McDonough, Ga.) was robbed of a hit to start things off on a nice play by the Lasell left fielder. However, Mercado singled and Ryder doubled to start a rally eerily similar to the fifth inning. This time the Lasers took no chances with Kline, intentionally walking her to load the bases.

Meenan made them pay with a first-pitch grand slam over the wall in center field to send Gordon to the improbable comeback.

Kline picked up her second victory of the day for the third time in a week. Knowlton got a no decision, but struck out four batters and allowed only two earned runs out of the four that scored.

Lydia Lewis-Hicks (Seekonk, Mass.) was tagged for her first loss of 2016 in 6.1 innings of work.

Lasell will return to GNAC action tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. when they play host to Johnson and Wales University, while Gordon stays home against Lesley, also tomorrow at 3:30 p.m.

Recap Courtesy of Gordon College Sports Information