SPRINGFIELD - The Smith College softball team closed out the 2024 campaign with a 5-2 loss to WPI on day two of the NEWMAC Tournament. Smith, making its first NEWMAC Tournament appearance since 2014, sees their strong season come to an end with a 22-16-1 record, the first time reaching the 20-win mark in a decade.
Game Highlights
- Smith struck first as a bases loaded walk in the first inning allowed Taz Tamai (Cincinatti, OH/The Seven Hills School) to cross home plate
- WPI was held scoreless until the fourth inning where Emma Nagy led off with a home to left field
- The Pioneers regained the lead on an RBI double by Lexi Balam (Lyndeborough, NH/Wilton-Lyndeborough Coop) to go back ahead 2-1
- Down to just one out, the Engineers orchestrated a four-run rally in the seventh to go up 5-2
- With two outs, Juno Shantz (Seattle, Wash./Garfield) singled to center but the game ended on a fly out to right
- Emilie Doty (Arlington, VA/Washington-Liberty) allowed five runs on 12 hits in 6.2 innings of work
- WPI starter Natalie Boldebuck gave up two runs on two hits in four innings, while teammate Shaina Lazarus earned the win only allowing two hits and no walks in three innings
- Piper Corey (Phoenix, AZ/Horizon Honors) and Taz Tamai (Cincinatti, OH/The Seven Hills School) added hits for the Pioneers
Shantz ends her career as the program's all-time leader in career batting average (.411), walks (44), and second in home runs (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.
