Mitchell Softball Bounces Back to Split with Newbury

Photo is courtesy of Mitchell College

NEW LONDON, Conn. – Mitchell College and Newbury College split a New England Collegiate Conference softball doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field.

The Nighthawks powered to an 8-0 victory in five innings in the opener, led by a 3-for-4 effort at the plate by both Alyssa Donovan and Sheri Liggiero. Each doubled in the game while Donovan also homered.

The Mariners responded with a 2-1 win in the nightcap. Starting pitcher Brittany Fiederlein scattered six hits and allowed only one run while striking out four to nail down the win. She also drove in the go-ahead run in the fifth inning that put Mitchell on top for good.

In between games, the Mariners honored Jenny Groman and Shannon O'Neil in a special Senior Day
ceremony. The two are both four-year letterwinners and starters.

Mitchell will next play at Becker College on Sunday, April 17 at noon. Newbury returns to action at home against Southern Vermont College on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Game 1 – Newbury 8, Mitchell 0 (5 innings)

Donovan led off the game with a solo home run, the first of three Newbury runs in the first inning. Liggiero reached base on an infield single and later scored on a base hit by Alexis Vieira. The Nighthawks also plated a run on a successful double steal of second and home for the early 3-0 advantage.

Newbury put up three more runs in the second, with Donovan starting the rally with a two-out single to center. After another Liggiero single, Naomi Ricciotti plated a run with a single to left-center, and Vieira later added a two-run single to increase the margin to 6-0.

The Nighthawks added a run in the third courtesy of a Mitchell fielding error and another in the fifth on an RBI double by Liggiero. With the eight-run mercy rule in effect, Newbury shut the Mariners down in the bottom of the fifth to seal the win.

Newbury starter Alina Milauskas allowed only two hits in 4.0 innings of work. Alexa Mummery pitched the final inning and didn't allow a hit.

Groman doubled in the second and Janelle Rice singled in the third to provide all of Mitchell's offense. Fiederlein took the loss in the circle, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on 13 hits while fanning six.

Game 2 – Mitchell 2, Newbury 1

Mitchell went up 1-0 in the second inning as Groman reached base on a hit by pitch to lead off the frame. After stealing second base, she moved to third on an infield hit by Jacquelyn White and scored on a bad throw to first base.

Newbury tied the game in the fifth as back-to-back singles by Tory Hoemke and Lindsey Clark set the table for Donovan, who knocked in a run with a ground out to short. Clark later advanced to third on a wild pitch, but Fiederlein stranded the go-ahead run by getting a fly ball to center to end the inning.

Mitchell reclaimed the lead in the home half of the fifth. Samantha DelConte got things started with a two-out double down the left field line—her second of the game—and Fiederlein brought her home with a single through the left side.

Fiederlein retired six of the final seven batters she faced in the sixth and seventh innings to improve to 6-10 on the season.

Mummery made the start for the Nighthawks but lasted only 2.0 innings. Milauskas (9-10 overall) replaced her in the third and allowed one run on three hits.