NORTHAMPTON, MA – The Smith College softball team put together a strong team effort in a back-and-forth non-conference matchup on Wednesday afternoon but came up just short, falling to Amherst College by a score of 5–4 at the Smith Softball Field.
The Pioneers came out strong in the bottom of the first inning. After Ally Knutson (Green Bay, WI/Bay Port) drew a leadoff walk, Kat Wajerski (Bellevue, WA/Newport) reached on a walk, and Bailey Gray (Missouri City, TX/Ridge Point) delivered a clutch two-out double to deep left-center, driving in both runners to give Smith an early 2–0 lead.
Amherst responded in the top of the second with a single run, and after a quiet third inning on both sides, the Mammoths rallied in the fourth. A pair of base hits and a walk loaded the bases before Amherst took advantage of two sacrifice flies and an RBI single to plate three runs and take a 4–2 lead.
Smith threatened in the fifth but couldn't push a run across.
In the top of the sixth, Amherst added an insurance run on a single and stolen base that set up another RBI opportunity, making it 5–2.
The Pioneers refused to go quietly. In the bottom of the sixth, Lily Hackett (Concord, NH/Concord) sparked the offense by hitting a leadoff double. After advancing on a groundout, she scored on Ava Lansbury (Arlington, VA/Washington-Liberty)'s RBI ground ball to short, cutting the deficit to 5–3.
Smith mounted one last push in the seventh. Baily Gray collected her third hit of the game, a sharp single to left, knocking in Lily Hackett (Concord, NH/Concord) who had reached on a walk.
Senior pitcher Emilie Doty (Arlington, VA/Washington-Liberty) went the distance in the circle, tossing 7.0 innings and striking out four, while the Smith defense stayed sharp with just one error on the day.
Bailey Gray (Missouri City, TX/Ridge Point) led the offense, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI, while L. Hackett reached base twice and scored a run.
Up Next:
Smith (5–14, 1–3 NEWMAC) will return to conference play this weekend, traveling to take on Babson on Friday afternoon with first pitch scheduled to come at 3:00PM.
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.
