Softball Downs MCLA in Florida Finale, 5-4

LEESBURG, Fla. (3/17/17) – The Lasell College softball team held off a fifth inning comeback from MCLA, earning a 5-4 victory in its last game of the Florida swing Thursday evening in Leesburg, Fla. The Lasers return to Boston after the 10-game trip at 3-7, dropping its earlier contest to Sewanee, 8-4.

Lasell strung together nine hits in the winning effort vs. MCLA, adding a run in all but the opening two innings. Arianna Genovese (Rocky Hill, Conn.) capped her first Florida trip in successful fashion as the lone Lasers to record an extra base hit, while classmate Victoria Spellman (Rocky Hill, Conn.) and senior Laura MacLeod (Old Saybrook, Conn.) drove in a run apiece.

The Lasers owned a 3-0 lead after four innings, with Erin Smith (Gorham, Maine) crossing the plate for two. Error trouble plagued Lasell in the Trailblazers next at bat, as two unearned runs pulled the contest within a single run, 3-2.

Roles reversed in the fifth, as Smith reached on an error by the shortstop, scoring Bailey Burnett (Phillipston, Mass.) from second, who stole second after a base knock. The 4-3 lead wouldn't last for long, as MCLA again answered, this time off an unearned run from Nevada Nelsen. With two outs down in the sixth, the Lasers ignored the pressure, as Genovese knocked a double before senior Mackenzie Madden (Mashpee, Mass.) singled to put runners on first and third. Nicole Arcese (Holliston, Mass.) reached first on an error by MCLA's left fielder, scoring Kystel Enko (Haydenville, Mass.) the pinch runner for the 5-4 lead. Despite a lead-off double from the Trailblazers, Lasell knocked down the next three outs, preserving the lead and victory in its Florida finale.

The Lasers are scheduled to face Gordon in Newton, Mass. on Wednesday, March 22 for their next contest. With weather permitting, first pitch is scheduled on Taylor Field at 3:00 p.m.