MANCHESTER, N.H. – Junior Kat Scafidi (Hudson, N.H.) and freshman Monique Gauthier (Canton, Conn.) each drove in a run, but the Saint Anselm College softball team was swept by American International College in doubleheader action at South Athletic Fields on Wednesday afternoon. The Hawks dropped game one, 3-1, before coming up short in a 4-2 decision in the second game.
The Hawks fall to 19-19 on the season, including 11-12 in Northeast-10 play, while the Yellow Jackets improve to 19-22, 15-13 NE-10.
Saint Anselm jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning of game one as it loaded the bases on a walk to senior Kayla McEachern (Stoneham, Mass.) and singles by Scafidi and freshman Nicole Boucher (Woonsocket, R.I.). After back-to-back strikeouts, McEachern scored on a wild pitch.
The game stayed that way until the top of the fifth when Haley Marchand hit a three-run homer to center off starter Christina Boehn (Stamford, Conn.). Scafidi singled to lead off the seventh, but was erased on a double play as AIC took game one.
Boehn (4-7) went 41/3 innings, giving up three runs – two earned – on three hits, while walking three and striking out one. Sophomore Kelly DeSormier (Tiverton, R.I.) worked a hitless 22/3, walking one and striking out one.
AIC starter Elizabeth Habib tossed four innings, giving up a run on two hits, while walking six and striking out four. Bethany Grimes recorded a save, working three scoreless innings. She gave up two hits and struck out a pair.
Scafidi was on base four times, going 2-for-2 and drawing a pair of walks.
DeSormier started game two, but lasted just 1/3 of an inning, giving up two runs on two hits and a walk. Sophomore Shannon Dalton (Concord, Mass.) came on to get the Hawks out of the first inning, trailing 2-0. AIC doubled its lead in the fifth on a two-run homer by Stephanie Belanger.
AIC starter Kristen Dolan held the Hawks down for the first six innings, allowing only a bloop single to center in the third by senior Jackie Giannino (Beverly, Mass.). After getting the first out of the seventh, an error and a pair of walks chased Dolan. Erin Gilkes came on in relief, inducing the second out on a Scafidi sac fly that made it 4-1. Gauthier then doubled to score junior Mary Fay (Stoughton, Mass.), but senior Raylyn Glavin (Saugus, Mass.) was thrown out on a close play at the plate to end the game.
Dalton tossed 62/3, allowing two runs on three hits, while walking two and striking out two.
Dolan went 61/3, giving up two runs – none earned – on a hit. She struck out eight and walked five. Gilkes gave up a hit over 2/3 of a scoreless inning.
The Hawks return to action on Thursday, April 28 (3/5 p.m.) when they play host to Assumption College at South Athletic Fields.
