SB: Lasers Split with Anna Maria

Newton, MA - The Lasell University softball team hosted the Amcats of Anna Maria College at Taylor Field on Friday afternoon for a pair of Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) games. After falling narrowly to the Amcats 4-3 in the opener, they rallied for an 8-3 victory in game two to split the doubleheader.

Game 1

The Lasers opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning when Emily Mestas reached on a single, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a foul-out by Katie Hopkins. Mestas had a standout day at the plate, finishing 3-for-4 with two stolen bases. Lasell's pitching duo of Meghan Theall and Abigail Fortin held the Amcats in check through much of the game, combining for six strikeouts while allowing only two earned runs. After falling behind 2–1 in the top of the fifth, Lasell responded with a sacrifice fly from Hopkins to tie the game. Shyanne Raccio gave the Lasers a 3–2 lead in the sixth with a solo home run to left field—her second RBI of the day. However, Anna Maria took advantage of fielding miscues in the seventh, plating two unearned runs to steal back the lead. Lasell mounted a final rally in the bottom half, with Mestas and Hopkins reaching base, but the Amcats held firm to close out the win.

Game 2

In this one, the Lasers struck early and often, scoring in each of the first three innings to build a commanding 7-1 lead. After scoring the game's opening run on a wild pitch in the first, Lasell added a run in the second on an RBI single from Abigail Fortin. The third inning proved decisive, as the Lasers erupted for five runs on six hits, including RBI singles from Meghan Theall, Mackenzie Still, and Fortin, as well as a walk with the bases loaded. Fortin not only contributed at the plate with two hits and two RBIs, but also went the distance in the circle, earning the win with a complete-game seven-inning effort, striking out five and allowing just two earned runs. Emily Mestas repeated her play from game one with a 3-for-4 outing and two stolen bases, while Still added two hits, a run, and an RBI. Shyanne Raccio and Alyssa Bland each contributed RBIs as the Lasers now stand at 8-20 (6-8 GNAC). 

Up Next - The Lasers are set to host the Lancers of Worcester State in a non-conference matchup on Wednesday afternoon on Taylor Field.