NORTHAMPTON, MA – Softball dropped both on Thursday afternoon at Smith Softball Field, hosting Coast Guard in one of the doubleheaders of the regular season. After falling in Game 1, the Pioneers came out swinging in Game 2 but it just was not enough to get by Coast Guard.
Game 1: Coast Guard 4, Smith 0
The Pioneers were held off the scoreboard in the opener despite a competitive effort on both sides of the ball. Bailey Gray (Missouri City, TX/Ridge Point) led the offense with two hits while Kat Wajerski (Bellevue, WA/Newport), Taz Tamai (Cincinati, OH/The Seven Hills School), and Lindsay Bennett (Sanford, ME/Berwick Academy) each added hits. Emilie Doty (Arlington, VA/Washington-Liberty) tossed a complete game with eight strikeouts and scattered seven hits, keeping Smith within reach through four innings before a three-run burst from Coast Guard proved the difference.
Game 2: Coast Guard 8, Smith 7
Smith struck first in Game 2, erupting for five runs in the bottom of the second in one of its most dynamic offensive innings of the season. After Elinor Washington (Sacramento, CA/Pleasant Grove) led off with a walk and stole both second and third, Lindsay Bennett (Sanford, ME/Berwick Academy) drove her in with an RBI single. Ava Lansbury (Arlington, VA/Washington-Liberty) and Kat Wajerski (Bellevue, WA/Newport) followed with RBI hits, and Lily Hackett (Concord, NH/Concord) reached on an error that plated another run to cap the five-run frame.
Smith extended their lead in the fourth. Bennett roped her second hit of the day, Lansbury followed with another single, and both later scored on a sharp infield play and an RBI from Hackett. Smith led 7–2 after four complete innings.
Lansbury finished 2-for-3 with two runs, an RBI, and a stolen base. Bennett was also 2-for-3 with two runs, an RBI, and a steal, while Washington tallied two runs and two stolen bases. Hackett drove in a run and added a sacrifice. Smith totaled five stolen bases in the game, matching a season high.
In the circle, Gray again went the distance, striking out five and working through several tight innings. The Smith defense backed her with strong efforts from Piper Corey (Phoenix, AZ/Horizon Honors) at shortstop and Lansbury at first, including key assists to strand Coast Guard runners in the middle innings.
Despite the lead, Coast Guard rallied with two runs in the sixth and four more in the top of the seventh to surge ahead 8–7.
Up Next
Smith returns to the diamond for the season finale tomorrow afternoon as they take on Springfield College at 2 and 4pm. It will also be Senior Day as the team will celebrate their two seniors, Piper Corey (Phoenix, AZ/Horizon Honors) and Ava Lansbury (Arlington, VA/Washington-Liberty).
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.
