Despite Strong Pitching Efforts; Nighthawk Bats Go Cold

The Newbury College softball team closed out their Spring Break trip in Florida with a double-header loss to Mt. St. Mary College, 3-0 and 3-0, Saturday morning.

The Nighthawks began the contest with two base runners but could not push across a run. Freshman centerfielder Brittany Stracher started the inning off with a base on balls followed by an infield bunt single by shortstop Katelyn Mark. Senior Jessica Jordan advanced them to second and third but Newbury could not make anything out of the early threat.

Mt. St. Mary’s starter Katelyn Maynes settled down and retired the next eight Nighthawks batters before Mark beat out an infield single to third. Christine DelPiano put St. Mary’s on the board in the bottom of the fourth taking a Katie O’Hara pitch to left center for the three-run homerun.

Newbury made a valiant comeback in the top of the seventh. Freshman Sarah Young opened the inning with a base hit to left while fellow freshman Rebecca Roach helped her own cause singling up the middle to advance Young to second. But it was not enough as O’Hara grounded into the fielder’s choice and Catherine O’Connell lined back to the pitcher and sophomore Teressa Farioli grounded out to end the game.

In the second game, Maynes threw her second shut-out of the day retiring eight Nighthawks on strikes while scattering eight hits. Teammate Sedia was solid in the victory going 2-4 in the game with a run scored.

The Nighthawks drop to 2-4 on the season. Newbury returns to north to face Anna Maria College in the home opener on March 25^th.