Allie Rooney ’16
Sports Editor
On Wednesday, April 2, Smith’s softball team faced NEWMAC opponent Clark University in double header action. The first game proved to be a very exciting one, as it ended with a walk off RBI double from Allison Snyder ’17 in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Pioneers a 7-6 win. First years Brittney Blokker and Ruth Zimmerman both had 2 hits for the Pioneers and Edie Richardson ’15 hit the team’s first home run of the season. Pitcher Tori Brown ’16 only gave up 2 earned runs and struck out three batters in the first six innings of play. Joanna Giordano ’16 added 2 hits in the second game, but the Pioneers ended up losing 3-2. With the Pioneer’s win in game one, they surpassed their overall win total from last year. Giordano ’16 stated ,“I love how the season is going so far. We’re a close knit family where everyone supports each other on and off the field. This year we’ve been able to really fight and win some close games, which we haven’t been able to do previously. Now the NEWMAC knows we are a force to be reckoned with.”
This past Saturday, April 5th, the Smith College softball team played a double header against Wellesley College. Wellesley Blue took the first game 9-0 in five innings, but the second game was much closer. Wellesley, previously undefeated in NEWMAC play, led 3-2 with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Brittney Blokker ’17 and Joanna Giordano ’16 performed a double steal to tie the game at three a piece. Tori Brown ’16 hit a home run to give the Pioneers a 5-3 lead. Pitcher Gina Martucci ’16 then did her part on the pitching mound with the three batters for Wellesley and earned Smith the victory. Standouts for Smith included Edie Richardson ’15 went 2-for-3 and Tori Brown ’16 drove in 2 runs for the Pioneers. Brittney Blokker ’17 scored two runs for Smith and Gina Martucci ’16 is now 9-3 on the season after earning a complete-game victory in the second game on Saturday. Smith is now 10-7 overall and 4-6 in conference play. Smith travels to Westfield State on April 8and then to Worcester Polytechnic Institute on Friday, April 11.