NORTHAMPTON - The Smith College softball team split their season opening series with SUNY New Paltz Wednesday afternoon as it dropped game one, 5-1, before earning a 3-2 victory in five innings. The Pioneers begin the season 1-1, while the Hawks move to 4-2.
Game 1: Smith 1 New Paltz 5
- Lucy Helms (Alameda, CA/Alameda), Taylor Ang (San Diego, CA/Canyon Crest Academy), and Taz Tamai (Cincinatti, OH/The Seven Hills School) each recorded hits for Smith
- Helms allowed five runs on nine hits with eight strikeouts
- New Paltz went up 1-0 on a fielder's choice in the fifth inning.
- Smith responded as Tamai scored on an error by the left fielder
- The visitors tacked on four runs in the seventh for the win
Game 2: Smith 3 New Paltz 2 (5 innings)
- Juno Shantz (Seattle, Wash./Garfield) went 2-for-3 at the plate with one RBI and one run
- Emilie Doty (Arlington, VA/Washington-Liberty) earned the victory allowed two runs on three hits with a strikeout
- Lexi Balam (Lyndeborough, NH/Wilton-Lyndeborough Coop) led off the first with an RBI double to left, scoring Molly Taketa (Redmond, Wash./Woodinville)
- New Paltz took the lead in the third with a double to left center, scoring two runs
- Smith tied it in the third and took a 3-2 edge when Shantz scored on a wild pitch
Up Next
Smith heads south and will play 10 games in Florida beginning with Luther College at 11:15am on Sunday, March 17.
About Smith Athletics: Smith College is a NCAA Division III member of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference that sponsors 11 intercollegiate sports. For more information log on to smithpioneers.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
