CLERMONT, Fla. – The Smith College softball team battled through a tough doubleheader at Legends Way Field on Sunday, March 16, 2025, finishing with a 1-1 record. The Pioneers dropped a hard-fought 1-0 loss to Macalester before bouncing back with a resilient 6-4 victory over Bates.
Game 1: Macalester 1, Smith 0
Smith found itself in a classic pitcher's duel but came up just short, falling 1-0 to Macalester. Pitcher Emilie Doty was impressive in the circle, throwing six innings and allowing just one run on four hits while striking out three. However, control issues proved costly, as Doty issued six walks, contributing to Macalester's lone run in the fourth inning.
Offensively, the Pioneers struggled to generate scoring opportunities, managing only three hits. Taz Tamai, Ally Knutson (Green Bay, WI/Bay Port), and Lucy Allen (West Boylston, MA/West Boylston) each recorded a single, but Smith was unable to push a run across. The team left four runners stranded and was unable to capitalize on Macalester's occasional defensive miscues.
Defensively, Smith had a solid showing, but three errors throughout the game gave Macalester extra chances.
Game 2: Smith 6, Bates 4
Determined to bounce back, Smith came out with a stronger offensive approach in game two, scoring six runs on nine hits to defeat Bates 6-4.
With the split, Smith moves to 1-1 on the season and will look to build on the momentum from the Bates victory in its upcoming games. In the third inning, Lily Hackett (Concord, NH/Concord) hit a single up the middle which drove in Elinor Washington (Sacramento, CA/Pleasant Grove) to give Smith its first run. The offense kept coming in the 3rd as Bailey Gray (Missouri City, TX/Ridge Point) knocked in Ally Knutson (Green Bay, WI/Bay Port) and Hackett.
Bates would battle back to take the lead in the top of the sixth, 6-5. However, in the bottom of the 6th, Kat Wajerski (Bellevue, WA/Newport) delivered a double to center field which drove two in and secured the Smith win in the second game.
Up Next
Smith returns to play tomorrow morning as they take on two more NESCAC teams, Wesleyan (9:00 AM) and Bowdoin (11:15 AM).
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.
